<y^^'iT-..>^^-'  "*y^.<r^'i  .J^^.,  -^^^  &^'i 


i'"'MinT«'»n    n"' "~n 


7 


-^ISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


OF  THE 


TOWN  OF  MILFORD 


[Limited  Edition] 


/ 


"A    MORE    SUBSTANTIAL    COMPANY    OF    EMIGRANTS    NEVER    FOLLOWED 
A    CLERGYMAN     INTO     THE     WILD    WOODS     OF    AMERICA     THAN    THE 

FATHERS  OF  MILFORD." — ( Hollister' s  History  of  Conn. ) 


Press  of  The  Tuttle,  Morehouse  and  Taylor  Co. 

New  Haven,  Conn. 

1914. 


Copyright,  1914 

BY 

George  Hare  Ford 


PREFACE 

Partially  inspired  by  the  recent  tracing  of  the  road  over 
which  Washington  passed  through  this  town  on  June  28th, 
1775,  journeying  from  Philadelphia  to  Cambridge  to  take 
"command  of  the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies" ;  and  in 
anticipation  of  the  proposed  celebration  of  the 

275TH  Anniversary  of  the  Settlement  of 
Ye  Old  Towne  of  Milford, 

I  have  compiled  and  edited  this  book  out  of  loyalty  to  and 
interest  in  my  native  town. 

It  contains  facts,  incidents  and  data  gleaned  from  original 
manuscripts  (not  heretofore  published  or  assembled),  pam- 
phlets, records  and  fragments  of  authority  now  rare  and 
difficult  of  access,  which,  if  not  preserved,  will  fade  away  and 
be  lost  to  future  generations. 

Trusting  that  it  may  prove  as  interesting  to  others  as  the 

collecting  and  compiling  has  been  to  the  author. 

George  Hare  Ford 
New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

Dedicated  to  the  memory  of  my  twenty-five  ancestors* 
whose  names  appear  upon  the  IMemorial  Bridge  among  the 
founders  of  the  town. 


♦Thomas  Ford,  Serg't.  Thomas  Tibbals,  Rev.  Peter  Prudden,  Gov. 
Robert  Treat,  William  Fowler,  Rev.  Sam'l.  Andrew,  Deacon  George  Clarke, 
Yoeman  George  Clarke,  Jasper  Gunn,  Edmund  Tapp,  Benjamin  Fenn, 
Thomas  Buckingham,  Richard  Baldwin,  Timothy  Baldwin,  Joseph  Bald- 
win, Nathaniel  Baldwin,  John  Rogers,  Nicholas  Camp,  Joseph  Northrup, 
Henry  Bochford,  John  Lane,  John  Smith,  Thomas  San  ford,  Roger  Terrill, 
Martha  Beard  "Widow"  three  sons. 


The  writer  acknowledges  with  appreciation  and  thanks  courtesies  and 
assistance  rendered  in  the  preparation  of  this  work  by  the  following: 
Harvey  Beach,  David  L.  Clark,  David  Lewis  Nettleton,  Nathan  Stowe, 
George  F.  Piatt,  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  Treat  Clark,  Joseph  R.  Clark,  Frank 
T.  Munson,  Rev.  P.  H.  McClean,  Rev.  A.  J.  Martin,  Fannie  Fowler 
Peck,  Josephine  G.  Beach,  Sarah  T.  Ford,  Sadie  Ford  Nettleton. 
E.  B.  Hyatt,  Photographer. 


CONTENTS 

Fragments  of  the.  Early  History  of  the  Town, 
with  illustrations  and  interesting  data,  by 
George  Hare  Ford   9-46 

Names  of  Residents  in  the  town  1835 Frontispiece 

Names  of  the  original  settlers  of  the  town  in  1639 

and  after  planters  about  1660 12-13 

Names  of  235   freeholders  included  in  the  Patent 

granted  1712   13-14 

Names  of  60  Revolutionary  patriots  buried  in  the 

Milford  Cemetery   23-4 

Names  of  the  Town  Clerks  of  Milford  1640  to  1914  42 

Names  of  owners  of  slaves  residing  in  Milford  1790  43 

Names  of  the  heads  of  families  residing  in  the  town 

1790    44 

Names  of  Milford  Men  who  served  in  the  Civil  War 

1861-65 45 

And  many  other  names  and  dates  of  value  to  His- 
torians and  Genealogists. 

A  Leaf  of  Milford  History 

A  Thanksgiving  Sermon,  1858,  preached  by  Jona- 
than Brace,  D.D 47 

The  Town   of  Milford  During  the  American 
Revolution 
Prize  Essay,  by  Mabel  Whitman  Mahoney 63 

Historical  Address 

Delivered  at  the  unveiling  of  the  Milford  Memorial 

Fountain,  by  George  Hare  Ford 70 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Plan  of  the  original  layout  of  the  town  in  1646. 

First  meeting  house  with  ground  plan. 

Governor  Treat's  house,  signature  and  seal,  about  1650- 1700. 

The  Regicide  House,  1661  and  1662. 

Governor  Law's  house,  signature  and  seal,  about  1700- 1750. 

Mil  ford  or  Peconick  Point  about  1800. 

Patent  granted  by  the  General  Court  1712  and  171 3  (repro- 
duction from  original). 

Congregational  Churches,  Academy  and  Mill  Pond  about  1835. 

Map  of  the  town  of  Milford  including  streets  and  location  of 
residences  in  1835. 

Tablet  to  Robert  Treat  (Newark). 

Typical  Old  New  England  House  (The  Higby  House). 

Continental  Currency  (Revolutionary  Period). 

Milford  Memorials. 

Memorial  Bridge  and  Tower. 

Revolutionary  Soldiers'  Monument, 

Soldiers'  Monument,  Civil  War,  1861-64. 

Taylor  Memorial  Library. 

Mary  Taylor  Memorial  M.  E.  Church. 

Chapter  House,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

Entrance  to  Wilcox  Park. 

Ford  Memorial  Fountain. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


NEW  HAVEN  COLONY 

1637  In  June,  1637,  there  arrived  at  Boston,  the  Davenport 
and  Eaton  Company,  composed  of  men  of  "wealth  and  high- 
est respectabiHty."  Among  them  were  two  Puritan  ministers, 
John  Davenport  and  Peter  Prudden.  Efforts  were  made  by 
Governor  Winthrop  to  induce  these  new  comers  to  locate 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony;  but 
they  desired  to  form  a  separate  commonwealth. 

When  Captain  Underbill  of  the  Winthrop  Colony  returned 
from  the  Pequot  War,  he  told  of  a  place  called  "Quinnipiack," 
discovered  in  chasing  the  Pequot  Indians  to  the  westward 
along  the  coast  from  Mystic  to  the  Fairfield  Swamp.  He 
described  the  place  as  follows :  "It  hath  a  fair  harbor  and 
abounds  in  rich  and  goodly  meadows." 

1638  Captain  Stoughton,  another  soldier  of  the  Pequot 
War,  speaks  of  the  place  as  "surpassing  all  the  New  England 
region,"  and  says  "probable  it  is  that  the  Dutch  will  seize  it 
if  the  EngHsh  do  not;  it  is  too  good  for  any  but  friends."  A 
committee  were  sent  to  explore  the  country  and  the  harbor 
and  returned  so  well  pleased  that  the  Davenport  and  Eaton 
Company  decided  to  settle  on  this  spot  and  in  the  spring  of 
1638  arrived  at  Red  Mount  (Quinnipiack),  now  New  Haven. 

Dwight  says  about  this  company,  "They  were  distinguished 
for  their  excellent  characters" ;  and  Trumbull  says,  "the 
principal  men  deserved  to  be  at  the  head  of  a  colony." 

Peters,  a  sarcastic  writer,  in  his  "History  of  Connecticut, 
London  1 781,"  says  "The  New  Haven  Colony  flattered  them- 
selves they  were  founding  Christ's  Millenium  Kingdom,  which 
was  to  extend  from  sea  to  sea,  and  that  their  city  would  be 
the  seat  of  the  empire  and  that  Christ  would  eventually  come 
to  live  with  them  for  a  thousand  years ;  but  it  does  not  appear 


8  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

from  the  early  records  that  they  ever  reserved  a  building  lot 
for  his  palace." 

PLANTATION  COVENANT 

1639  June,  1639,  finds  these  planters  gathered  for  con- 
ference in  the  Robert  Newman  barn*  for  the  purpose  of  an 
agreement  on  the  government  of  the  colony.  The  meeting 
v^^as  not  altogether  harmonious :  differences  existed.  The 
majority  favored  recognizing  only  church  members  as  eligible 
to  vote  on  the  affairs  of  the  colony.  As  a  result  those  who 
declined  to  subscribe  to  the  original  articles  of  agreement 
gathered  on  the  following  day  and  organized  under  Rev.  Peter 
Prudden,  a  separate  colony. 

Prudden,  formerly  from  Edgerton,  Yorkshire,  England,  had 
preached  at  Wethersfield  during  the  year ;  and  a  number  from 
that  town  followed  him  to  Quinnipiack. 

Among  them  was  Sergt.  Thomas  Tibbalsf  who  had  also 
served  with  Capt.  Mason,  Stoughton  and  Underbill  in  the 
Pequot  War. 

He  had  been  impressed  not  only  with  the  Quinnipiack  but 
the  Wepawaugl  River,  about  ten  miles  south  and  recommended 
this  location  to  the  Company  of  dissenters  as  a  desirable  spot 
for  a  settlement;  and  the  following  August,  Thomas  Tibbals 
led  the  company  along  the  shore  by  the  Indian  trail  through 
the  wilderness  to  the  banks  of  the  Wepawaug,  with  the  Rev. 
Peter  Prudden  as  the  acknowledged  head  of  the  Company. 

*  The  Newman  lot  was  at  the  foot  of  the  present  Hillhouse  Ave.,  New 
Haven,  on  which  site  now  stands  the  New  Haven  Colony  Historical 
Society  Building  presented  by  Henry  Fowler  English  as  a  memorial  to 
his  father  and  mother :  the  late  James  Edward  English,  Governor  and 
U.  S.  Senator,  and  Caroline  Fowler  English,  a  direct  descendant  of 
William  Fowler  of  Milford,  the  founder  and  builder  of  the  first  mill. 

t  Among  the  passengers  on  the  "Truelove,"  leaving  the  shores  of  Eng- 
land in  163s,  appear  the  names  of  Thomas  Tibbalds,  aged  20;  Zacharia 
Whitman,  aged  60;  Sarah  Whitman,  aged  25;  Zacha  Whitman,  aged 
'zVz  years.  "Original  lists  of  Persons  of  Quality  who  went  from  Great 
Britain  to  the  American  Plantations  1600-1700,"  Edited  by  John  Camden 
Hotten,  London. 

$  Indian  translation    (the  crossing  place). 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  9 

See  boulder  Memorial  Bridge,  southeast  end,  following 
inscription : 

IN    MEMORIAM 

CAPT.    THOMAS    TIBBALS. 

OBIT    1703 

IN    CONSIDERATION    OF    HIS 

HELPFULNESS    ATT    THE    FIRST    COM- 

MING    TO    MILFORD    TO    SHOW    THE 

FIRST    COMMERS    THE    PLACE. 

(Land  Records.) 

See  boulder  Memorial  Bridge,  southwest  end,  following 
inscription : 

IN    MEMORIAM 

PETER    PRUDDEN 

FIRST    PASTOR    IN    MILFORD 

OBIT    1656 

THE    VOICE    OF    ONE    CRYING    IN    THE 

WILDERNESS,    PREPARE    YE 

THE    WAY    OF    THE    LORD,    MAKE    HIS    PATHS    STRAIGHT. 

THE  NEW  HAVEN  COLONISTS  ACQUIRED  ALL 

THEIR  LAND  BY  PURCHASE  FROM  THE 

INDIANS, 

and  the  business  was  transacted  with  much  formality  and 
possession  was  given  w^ith  ceremony.  Not  only  the  Indian 
Chief,  but  all  the  other  leaders  in  the  tribe  signed  the  deeds 
by  making  their  mark. 

The  payments  were  made  in  clothing,  blankets,  utensils, 
trinkets  and  other  things  useful  to  the  Indians. 

By  articles  of  agreement  the  Indians,  for  themselves  and 
their  successors,  surrendered  all  lands  and  privileges,  reserving 
the  right  of  fishing  and  hunting,  and  in  the  case  of  the  Mil- 
ford  purchase,  Ansantawae  and  his  family  were  to  have  the 
liberty  to  seek  shelter  in  the  event  of  danger  in  some  place 
near  the  town  where  the  residents  should   "think  most  fit." 


10  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

LAND  PURCHASED  FOR  THE  TOWN  OF  MILFORD 

FROM  THE  INDIANS  INCLUDING  DATE  OF 

PURCHASE  AND  BOUNDARY  LINE* 

The  individuals  who  negotiated  with  the  Indians  acted  in 
behalf  of  all  the  planters,  and  it  is  expressed  in  all  of  the  vari- 
ous deeds  or  agreements,  from  1639  to  1722,  after  the  names 
of  the  committee,  as  follows :  "For  the  benefit  of  the 
planters,"  or  "In  trust  for  the  planters." 

1639  The  original  or  first  purchase  was  made  Feb.  12, 
i639,t  and  consisted  of  the  land  lying  between  the  East  River 
and  the  "Oustonik"  with  Long  Island  Sound  on  the  south, 
two  miles  towards  Derby  on  the  north.  This  deed  was  taken 
by  William  Fowler,  Edwin  Tapp,  Zachariah  Whitman,  Ben- 
jamin Fenn  and  Alexander  Bryan. 

1655  Purchases  were  made  between  Paugussett  and  the 
two-mile  Indian  path  by  Ensign  Bryan,  Sergt.  Baldwin  and 
William  East. 

1659  Land  from  the  Indian  Path  to  Oyster  River  South 
to  the  Foot  Path  from  Paugussett  to  New  Haven,  by  Robert 
Treat  and  Ensign  Bryan. 

1659-60  Indian  Neck  between  East  River  and  the  Sound 
by  Ensign  Bryan. 

1685  "The  tract  lying  by  the  path  which  goeth  from  New 
Haven  to  Derby  and  bounded  with  said  path  south,  and  the 
brook  called  Bladden's  Brook,  north;  with  the  line  that  is 
in  the  point  between  New  Haven  and  Milford  east,  and  the 
line  that  is  the  point  between  Derby  and  Milford  West."  This 
purchase  was  made  by  Robert  Treat,  Samuel  Eells,  Benj. 
Fenn,  Thomas  Clark  and  Survanius  Baldwin. 

*  The  conditions  of  purchase,  the  price,  the  names  and  marks  of  the 
Indians  conveying  all  the  land  comprising  the  town  of  Milford  at  the 
different  purchases  will  be  found  in  Lambert's  History  of  New  Haven 
Colony,    1838. 

t  The  early  settlers  began  their  year  March  25,  therefore  a  confusion 
and  inconsistency  of  dates  frequently  occurs  and  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  original  records  made  previous  to  March  may  bear  date  of  previous 
year.     1640  voted  the  place  be  called  Milford. 


PLAN  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  TOWN  PLOT  OF  MLFORD 

1646 

Four  and  one-half  inches  to  the  mile 


NUMBER  OF  HOUSE  LOT,  NAME  AND  AMOUNT  OF  LAND 
OWNED  BY  EACH  PLANTER  IN  1646 


1  John  Astwood, 

2  Richard  Baldwin, 

3  Benjamin  Fenn, 

4  Samuel  Cooley, 

5  John  Peacocke, 

6  Henry  Stonhiil, 

7  Nathaniel  Baldwin, 

8  James  Prudden, 

9  John  Sherman, 

10  Thomas  Baker, 

11  Stephen  Freeman, 

12  John  Fletcher, 

13  John  Baldwin, 

14  Frances  Bolt, 
loMicah  Tompkins, 

16  John  Birdseye, 

17  Edward  Har^^ey, 

18  Jbhj^  Lane, 

19  William  East, 
SO  Thomas  Lawrence, 

(sold  to  Wm.  East.) 

21  Thomas  Sandford, 

22  Timothy  Baid^vin, 
53  Alexander  Bryan, 

24  Jasper  Gnnn, 

25  Tomas  Hine, 

26  Henry  Lyon, 

27  John  Stream, 

28  William  Slough, 

29  James  Prime, 

30  Thoinas_Ree_d,_ 

31  Robert  Denison, 

32  Zachaiiah  Whitman,  7 

33  Thomas  Welch, 


a. 

r.  p. 

7 

2  0 

3 

0  0 

2 

11  3 

2 

1  20 

i 

3  0 

2 

3  20 

3 

2    0 

2 

0  0 

4 

0  0 

3 

2  0 

2 

0  0 

2 

3  SO 

2 

1  10 

2 

1  20 

2 

1  20 

2 

3  20 

2 

3  0 

2 

2  20 

2 

3  0 

0  0 

2 

3  0 

4 

0  0 

4 

0  25 

6 

*3  0 

*> 

0  0 

3 

0    0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

7 

2  0 

4 

2  0 

34  Thomas  Wheeler, 

35  Mr.  Edmond  Tapp, 

36  The.  Buckingham, 
^7  Robert  Plum' 

38  Richard  Piatt, 

39  Thomas  Tapping, 

40  Mr.  Peter  Prudden, 

41  Mr.  Wm.  Fowler, 

42  Thomas  Lawrence, 

43  George  Clark,  Junr.,  4 

44  John  Bur  well, 

45  Henry  Botsford, 

46  John  Smith, 

47  John  Rogers, 

48  Philip  Hatley, 

49  Roger  Tyrrell, 

50  Nicholas  Camp, 

51  John  Fowler, 

52  Joseph  Baldwin, 

53  Thom&s  Tibbals; 

54  Wid.  Martha  Beard, 

55  Thomas  Campfield, 

56  Thomas  Ford, 

57  William.  Roberts, 

58  John  Smith, 

59  Thomas  Bailey, 

60  William  Brookes, 

61  John  BrpwHj 

62  Nathaniel  Briscoe, 

63  Edward  Riggs, 

64  Andrew  Benton,^ 

65  George  Clark,  Senr., 

66  George  Hubbard, 

(sold  to  John  Stream.) 


3 

0  0 

7 

2  0 

2 

3  0 

5 

3  V 

4 

1  0 

1 

I  20 

7 

2  0 

7 

2  0 

1 

0  0 

4 

1  0 

2 

0  20 

2 

2  0 

1 

3  20 

1 

3  20 

3 

3  20 

2 

3  20 

6 

1  20 

1 

2  20 

2 

1  20 

1 

2  20 

4 

1  00 

3 

0  0 

o 
O 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

4 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

9  9 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

4 

2  6 

4 

2  0 

The  following  list  included  those  who  were  known  to  have  come  from 
Wethersfield: — Zackariah  Whitman,  Thomas  Welch,  Edmund  Tapp, 
Thomas  Buckingham,  Richard  Miles,  Richard  Piatt,  Mr.  Peter  Prudden, 
William  Fowler,  Richard  Baldwin,  Benjamin  Fenn,  John  Peacocke,  Henry 
Stonhiil,  Nathaniel  Baldwin,  James  Prudden,  Timothy  Baldwin,  Joseph 
Baldwin,  Thomas  Tibbals. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 


13 


1700  Land  lying  north  of  Bladden's  Brook  to  the  brook 
called  Lebanon  Brook,  east  by  New  Haven  land ;  west  by  the 
land  between  Derby  and  Milford;  by  Robert  Treat,  Thomas 
Clark,  Sr.,  Samuel  Buckingham,  Lieut.  S.  Baldwin  and  Ensign 
George  Clark. 

1702  Land  bounded  south  by  Lebanon  Brook;  east  by 
Milford  and  New  Haven  line;  north  by  Beacon  Hill  or 
Waterbury  line;  west  by  the  line  between  Derby  and  Milford. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  principal  after  planters,  1646  to  about  1660: 


Henry  Allen 
Edward  Adams 
Joshua  Atwater 
Joseph  Ashburn 
Hants  Albers 
Thomas  Andrew 
Thomas  Bayley 
Thomas  Beardsley 
John  Brown 
Roger  Belts 
Thomas  Betts 
Thomas  Beach 
Thomas  Campfield 
Robert  Denison 
Gilbert  Dalison 
Charles  Deal 
Robert  Downs 
Samoel  EellS 
Thomas  Farman 
Nathaniel  Farrand 
John  Ford 
Joseph  North  rup 


Stephen  Freeman 
John  Fisk 
Nathaniel  Gould 
Joseph  Guernsey 
Thomas  Hine 
Richard  Haughton 
Thomas  Hayes 
Richard  Holbrook 
Richard  Hollingworth 
Walter  Joye- 
Simon  Lobdell 
Jonathan  Law 
Jesse  Lambert 
Miles  Merwia 
Miles  Moore 
Jonathan  Marsh 
Thomas  Mecoclc 
Samuel  Nettleton 
Roger  Newton 
Francis  Norton 
Abraham  Pierson 
James  Prims 


John  Prindle 
Joseph  Peck 
Roger  Pritchard 
David  Phillips 
Edward  Riggs 
William  Roberts 
Thomas  Read 
Joseph  Sill 
Richard  Shule 
John  Smith 
John  Stream 
John  Stone 
Vincent  Stilson 
Peter  Simpson 
Edward  Turner 
Henry  Tomlinson 
William  Tyler 
Edward  Wooster 
Edward  Wilkinson 
Thomas  Ward 
Joseph  Waters 


Purchases  having  been  made  at  various  times  and  bound- 
aries being  subject  to  controversy,  the  planters  decided  in 
1712-or  13  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  a  Patent  that 
would  define  their  boundaries  and  protect  their  title  and  the 
following  were  chosen  a  committee  to  assume  the  drawing  up 
of  the  document: — Jonathan  Law,  Esq.,*  Maj.  Samuel  Eells, 
Sergt.  Zachariah  Baldwin,  Ensign  Samuel  Gunn,  Capt.  Joseph 
Treat,  Ensign  George  Clark  and  Mr.  Samuel  Clark,  Jr. 

Every  planter  was  compelled  to  bear  his  proportion  of  the 
expense  arising  from  settling  the  plantation  and  laying  it  out 
in  lots  and  received  land  in  proportion  to  the  amount  he  had 
contributed  based  upon  his  estate,  the  number  of  members  of 
his  family  and  agreed  to  build  a  suitable  house  upon  the  lot 
within  three  years  from  the  date  of  allotment. 
*  The  instrument  was  drawn  for  the  committee  by  Jonathan  Law. 


14  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

These  early  houses  were  mostly  covered  with  oak  shingles 
and  the  windows  were  diamond  glass. 

The  outside  lands  were  allotted  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
home  lots.* 

Burwell's  Farm  received  its  name  from  Samuel  and  Nathan, 
sons  of  Samuel  Burwell. 

Wheeler's  Farm  received  its  name  from  Joseph  Wheeler 
who  settled  in  1705;  previous  to  this  it  was  called  the  Upper 
Meadow  or  Sergeant  Camp's  Hop  Garden. 

Bryan's  Farm  received  its  name  from  Alexander  Bryan. 
The  section  is  now  known  as  Woodmont. 

George  Clarkf  was  the  first  settler  to  build  outside  the 
Palisades  and  received  forty  acres  as  a  reward  for  his  courage. 

Inscription  on  Stone  erected  on  Clark  Farm 
October  1895 

This  stone  was 
removed  from  the  south 

end  of  this  field  by 

David  N.  Clarke  &  Sons 

and  set  up  in  memory  of 

Deacon  George  Clarke,  Sr. 

their  ancestor  who  was 

one  of  the  first  English 

settlers  of  Milford  in  1639, 

and  was  the  owner  of  this  lot 

with  George  Clarke,  Jr. 

*  Westfield,  south  of  the  town,  between  the  turnpike  and  the  great 
meadow  extending  to  Poconoc  Point,  was  laid  out  to  those  who  settled 
at  the  west  end.  The  Upland  at  the  point  was  laid  out  to  widow 
Martha  Beard.  In  1647,  Thomas  Tibbals  had  a  grant  of  meadow  at  said 
point. 

t  As  there  were  two  men  by  the  name  of  George  Clarke  among  the 
early  settlers,  many  errors  occur  in  the  records  of  their  descendants. 
Pond,  in  his  "Story  of  the  Memorial  Bridge,"  considers  the  present 
family  descend  from  Deacon,  who  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  George 
the  farmer.  The  name  of  Clarke  from  the  settlement  of  the  town  has 
been  most  prominent.  The  descendants  have  been  thrifty  and  have  been 
most  loyal  to  the  interests  of  the  town  of  Milford,  having  remained  in 
the  town  generation  after  generation  and  and  added  much  to  its  prosperity. 
Clark  and  Clarke  are  the  most  prominent  names  in  the  Milford  telephone 
directory  of  the  present  day. 


PATENT  GRANTED  1712-13 
(from  original ) 


I .  di  <V  /">u- At,^,'!^ 


fe 


t^ 


»•«##*♦»* 


,i*  i_   V  *"  ^♦^  *■*- ' 


>3  >T 


•l^v  .-     '^«*->»4  *Cj['"''' .■N„^' 


f 


This  patent  was  considered  of  niucli  importance  to  the 
freeholders  as  security  against  any  crown  aj^ent  or  Governor 
General  who  miuht  challene'C  their  title. 


NAMES  OF  PATENTEES 


.     'P., — /Vi.,.r,<. 


..il  ,K,//:,./,  f„ 


yu 


:i/',y,-.  'U„  of,-// 


'-«*■ 


/' 


Av. /«'„■„./-. 


y. — ,/- 


/ ^--' -v 


/,// 


''^<^. 


/i.'.fX^. 


'/Zfl/a(»jSJ^. 


Truni1)ull  says.  "The  wisdom  of  our  vencralile  ancestors  provided  for 
the  freedom  and  lil)erty  of  themselves  and  their  posterity.  Thus  did  they 
guard   against  every  encroachment  on   the   rights  of   the   suhjects." 


The  following  is  an  accurate  synopsis  of  the  instrument : 

L.  S.  To  ALL  People  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come:  The 
Governour  and  Company  of  ye  English  Colony  of  Connecticut,  in 
New  England,  in  America,  send  Greeiing.  Know  Ye  that  whereas 
all  the' lands  contained  within  these  abutments;  viz.,  the  Sea  South, 
with  the  dividing  lines  between  the  towns  of  New  Haven  and  Mil- 
ford,  from  the  middle  of  the  mouth  of  Oyster  river  to  Beacon  Hill 
river.  Easterly;  with  Beacon  Hill  river.  Northerly;  and  on  the 
Westward  side  thereof  with  the  lines  which  divide  between  the 
Towns  of  Milford  and  Derby,  and  with  the  middle  of  the  Housa- 
tonnuc  river,  were  the  greater  part  purchased  of  the  Indian,  native 
proprietors,  before  the  Letters  Patent  of  Connecticut  was  obtained 
from  King  Charles  the  2d,  of  blessed  memory,  and  possessed  without 
interruption  for  seventy-six  years  and  upwards  ;  and  that  other  parts 
since  lawfully  purchased  of  the  Indian  proprietors,  by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Milford,  viz. :  the  lands  north  of  Bladen's  brook  were  added 
to  the  township,  in  1693,  by  the  Governour  and  Company  since  the 
grant  of  the  Charter  of  Connecticut — and  the  proprietors  of  said 
Milford  now  mpving  to  us  the  Governour  and  Company,  for  the 
more  sure  making  and  firm  establishment  of  their  rights  to  said 
lands,  whether  holden  by  them  in  Fee  simple  or  Fee  tail,  or  as 
Tenan's  in  common,  joint  Tenants  or  Parceners  ; 

Now  Know  Ye:  That  we  the  said  Governour  and  Company  in 
General  Court  assembled,  by  virtue  of  the  Letters  Pattent  lo  us 
given,  under  the  great  seal  of  England,  by  our  Sovereign  Lord, 
King  Charles  the  second,  of  bles-sed  memory,  do  by  these  presents 
fully  and  absolutely,  for  us  and  our  successors,  give,  grant,  remise, 
and  release,  and  altogether  for  us  and  .our  successors  do  quit  claim, 
ratify,  approve,  and  confirm  in  the  quiet,  peaceable,  and  firm  seizen 
and  possession  of  Major  Samuel  Eells,  Mr.  Samuel  Andrew,  Mr. 
P.obert  Treat,  Mr.  Jonathan  Law,  Mr.  Thomas  Clark,  Ensigu 
George  Clark,  Ensign  Jobamah  Gunn,  Capt.  Joseph  Treat,  Lieut, 
Joseph  Peck,  Lieut.  Benjamin  Fenn,  Serg.  Zachariah  Baldwin, 
Mr.  Samuel  Clark,  Jun.,  Ensign  Samuel  Gunn,  and  all  and  every 
person  whose  names  are  found  in  a  schedule  hereunto  affixed,  the 
whole  right,  title,  and  claim,  which  we  have  had  or  have  in  and  to 
all  the  aforesaid  tract  of  land  bounded  as  aforesaid,  with  all  the 
Islands  within  the  said  tract  of  land,  viz. :  Milford  Island,  Edward 
Wooster's  Island,  Whitman's  Island,  and  Duck  Island,  with  the 
woods,  minerals,  buildings,  and  aJl  other  appurtenances,  and  hered- 
itament ;  to  them  aod  every  of  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever, 
according  to  their  several  rights  and  shares,  as  may  be  .seen  by  the 
records  of  the  town  of  Milford,  reference  thereunto  being  had, 
To  Have  and  to  Hold  to  their  own  proper  use  and  behoof  forever ; 
To  HohD-'of  her  Majesty,  her  heirs  and  successors,  according  to 
the  tenure  of  East  Greenwich,  in  the  County  of  Kent,  in  England, 
in  free  and  common  socage,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  to  her 
Majesty  and  successors  forever,  the  fifth  part  of  all  the  ore  of  Gold 
and  Silver,  which  shall  there,  hereafter  be  gotten,  in  lieu  of  all  ser- 
vices, duties,  and  demands  whatsoever,  according  to  the  Charter 
granted  to  us,  the  Governour  and  Company. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  caused  the  Seal  of  the  Colon}'  to  be 
hereunto  afiixed,' and  the  Governor  and  Secretary  of  the  said  Colony 
have  hereunto  subscribed  their  names,  this  twenty-second  day  of 
May,  Anno  Domini  One  Thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirteen^^^ 
Anno-qr  Regui  Regina  Magna  Britannia  Anna  Duo  decimo. 


'^wrdon  vauinj'ta/l . 


l6  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

MILFORD  INDIANS* 

As  late  as  the  spring  of  1831  it  is  said  that  a  company  of 
Indians  journeyed  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain  and 
camped  for  two  or  three  weeks  at  Milford  Point.  An  old 
man  of  eighty  was  recognized  by  them  as  their  chieftain. 

Conversation  among  themselves  was  carried  on  in  the  Indian 
tongue.  Some  had  acquired  a  little  English  and  as  they 
expressed  it,  "they  made  this  pilgrimage  for  the  last  time  to 
the  home  of  their  ancestors  and  the  sacred  ground  of  their 
fathers." 

If  this  barbaric,  savage  race  had  that  reverence  for  their 
ancestors  and  the  homes  of  their  fathers,  should  not  we  of  a 
civilized  race,  at  the  present  day,  show  reverence  for  and  pay 
homage  to  the  homes  of  our  ancestors  by  gathering  at  intervals 
and  studying  their  characters  and  rehearsing  the  experiences 
of  these  founders  of  a  great  nation. 

The  Quinnipiack  tribe  claimed  the  territory  from  New 
Haven  to  Madison.  The  Wepawaugs  and  Paugussetts  from 
New  Haven  to  Fairfield,  extending  back  to  Beacon  Hill 
(Beacon  Falls,  Waterbury  Line).  The  Wepawaugsf  occu- 
pied the  east  bank  of  the  Ousatonick  River  and  the  Paugus- 
setts, the  west  bank.  They  numbered  several  hundred  warriors 
and  braves  and  historians  all  assume  that  they  were  all  one 
people.  Ansantawael  was  the  sachem  of  both  tribes  and  all 
the  deeds  in  their  territory  conveyed  to  the  English  included 
the  names  or  marks  of  the  heads  of  both  families. 

DeForest  says,  "The  Quinnipiacks  numbered  only  forty- 
seven  braves  and  warriors." 

*  About  1648  the  Mohawks,  as  was  frequently  their  custom,  swept  down 
along  the  coast  and  attacked  the  Milford  Indians,  near  a  swamp  about 
a  mile  east  of  the  Ferry.     The  Mohawks  were  defeated. 

t  Wopowage  Housatonick — Trumbull's  Conn.,  1797. 

Wapawaug  Ousatonick — Gazateer  of  Conn.  &  R.  I.,  1818. 

Wepowage  Housatonnuc — Lambert's,  1838. 

Wepawaug  Paugussetts — DeForest's  History  of  Conn.  Indians,  1852. 

t  Ansantawae  had  a  wigwam  on  the  banks  of  the  Wepawaug  about 
opposite   Plot   19  on  the  map. 


lo  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

1777  At  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  the  town  of  Mil- 
ford  the  Indians  had  four  so-called  villages  within  the  limits 
of  the  town;  one  on  the  banks  of  the  Wepawaug  near  the 
First  Church,  one  on  the  banks  of  the  Ousatonick;  one  at 
Washington's  bridge;  one  at  Peconic  or  Milford  Point  and 
one  at  Turkey  Hill.  After  a  time  they  complained  that  hav- 
ing sold  their  land,  they  had  no  place  to  live  and  asked  the 
town  to  assign  them  some  portion  where  they  might  live  and 
fish  and  hunt.  Accordingly  in  1777  one  hundred  acres  at 
Turkey  Hill  were  reserved  and  Capt.  Benjamin  Fenn,  Steven 
Gunn,  Esq.,  and  Lieut.  Benjamin  Fenn  were  appointed  to  take 
care  of  this  land. 

Mollie  Hackett,  the  last  of  the  Wepawaug  tribe,  died  here 
between  1780  and  1800. 

MILFORD  ISLANDS 

1 7 12-13  Milford  Islands  were  evidently  considered  of 
importance  as  they  are  distinctly  mentioned  in  the  171 2-1 3 
patent. 

1657  Milford,  or  Charles  Island,*  the  most  important, 
contains  twelve  acres  and  is  beautifully  located.  The  Indian 
name  was  "Eaquahaug" ;  it  was  a  favorite  summer  resort  of 
the  Indians.  Ansantawae  the  sachem  had  a  royal  wigwam 
or  summer  home,  on  this  Island.  In  the  settlement  of  the 
town  it  was  laid  out  to  George  Hubbard  who  sold  it  to  RicharcJ 
Bryan.  In  1657  grant  was  given  to  Charles  Deal  (from  whom 
it  evidently  acquired  its  present  name)  to  use  the  island  for 
a  tobacco  plantation  on  condition  that  buildings  should  not  be 
used  for  any  other  purpose  and  he  was  not  to  trade  with  the 
Dutch  or  Indians. 

*  Connected  with  the  island  is  a  legend  that  the  notorious  Kidd  buried 
money  on  the  south  side  beside  a  huge  rock  and  that  some  persons  dig- 
ging for  this  treasure  succeeded  in  getting  as  far  as  the  iron  box  and 
looking  in  the  air  saw  a  man  descending  without  a  head.  They  became 
frightened  and  ran  away  and  as  they  left  they  saw  the  space  enveloped 
in  smoke.  Returning  for  their  spades  the  next  day  they  found  they  were 
mistaken  and  the  ground  was  smooth  as  though  it  never  had  been  dug. 
This  and  the  Hog  rock  legend  probably  deserve  the  same  credit  as  that 
concerning  the  New  Haven  phantom  ship. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  19 

1825  In  1825  the  island  was  sold  to  John  Harris  of  New 
York,  who  erected  upon  it  an  imposing  residence.  That  was 
afterwards  utilized  as  a  summer  hotel  and  in  the  early  days  of 
the  writer,  excursion  steamers  ran  from  New  Haven  and 
Bridgeport  to  this  island  during  the  summer  season.  The  spot 
is  highly  attractive  at  the  present  day  and  will  undoubtedly,  in 
the  future,  be  acquired  by  some  one  impressed  with  the  advan- 
tage of  its  situation  and  possibly  be  developed  as  a  yachting 
rendezvous. 

Duck  Island  near  the  mouth  of  the  Housatonic  River. 

Nell's  Island  between  that  and  Washington  Bridge. 

WoosTER  Island  opposite  Wheeler's  Farm. 


FORT  TRUMBULL 

1776  In  1776  Fort  Trumbull  was  built  for  the  defense 
of  the  town.  Earth  works  were  built  on  the  West  side  on 
the  entrance  of  the  Harbor  and  a  military  post  was  established. 
Great  guns  were  mounted,  ready  for  use  if  necessary  in  defense 
and  Captain  Isaac  Miles  was  placed  in  command.  The  fort 
was  named  "Fort  Trumbull,"  undoubtedly  in  honor  of  Jona- 
than Trumbull  (Brother  Jonathan)  the  war  governor  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut  during  the  Revolutionary  period. 


ROADS 

1846  By  reference  to  the  original  map,  1846,  it  will  be 
observed  that  no  effort  was  made  to  lay  out  the  town  regularly 
as  was  done  by  the  planters  in  New  Haven. 

It  is  said  that  a  cart  driven  over  the  ground  making  a  track 
where  the  trees  did  not  interfere,  made  the  basis  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  road.  Some  roads  were  laid  out  on  the  Indian 
trails,  such  as  the  old  road  to  New  Haven  by  Burwell's  Farm 
and  Oyster  River;  also  the  road  to  Turkey  Hill. 

The  old  country  road  to  the  ferry  was  called  the  Witch 
Road.     A  ferry  was  established  in  1675. 


20  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Hog  Rock,  a  boulder  about  ten  feet  in  diameter,  is  located 
about  a  mile  east  of  Washington  Bridge.  The  following 
stanza  explains  the  origin  of  its  name : 

"Once  four  young  men  upon  ye  rock 
Sate  down  at  chufBe  board  one  daye; 
When  ye  Deuill  appeared  in  shape  of  a  hogg; 
Ande  frighten'd  you  so  they  scampered  awaye; 
Ande  left  Olde  Nick  to  finish  ye  play." 

On  the  north  side  of  the  rock  is  cut  in  capitals,  "LIBERTY, 
1776,"  done  by  Peter  Pierett,  Jr.,  at  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  Thus  old  Cloven  Foot's  gaming  table  is  made 
a  monument  of  American  Liberty. 

1712  Ini7i2a  committee  was  appointed  by  the  town  to 
agree  with  the  Stratford  authorities  to  carry  the  inhabitants 
to  Milford  over  the  river  for  half  price  on  condition  that  the 
town  furnished  a  ferry  boat  on  this  side. 

1802  "In  1802  the  New  Haven  and  Milford  Turnpike 
Company  was  opposed  by  the  people  of  the  town  who  objected 
to  the  turnpike  road  running  through  people's  land,  necessitat- 
ing that  they  should  keep  the  old  road  except  cutting  off  sharp 
corners." 

ORIGINAL  BRIDGES 
Location  and  Dates  of  Building 
1640     The  Meeting  House  Bridge. 
1645     Fowler's  Bridge. 
1662     Indian  or  Great  Bridge. 
1706     Plum's   Bridge   crossing   Indian   River   on   the   old 

Country  Road. 
1711     King's  Bridge. 
1723     Bridge   from  a  point  below  the  present  Episcopal 

Church   near  the   present   Railroad   Bridge,   now 

discontinued. 
1753     Oyster  River  Bridge. 
1768     North  Street  Foot  Bridge  by  Jehiel  Bristol. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  21 

1798  Washington  Bridge*  over  the  Housatonic  supported 
by  the  Turnpike  Company;  about  the  same  date 
Jefferson  Bridge  over  Milford  River  also  built  and 
supported  by  the  Turnpike  Company. 

1810     Gulf  Bridge. 

THE  OLD  KING'S  HIGHWAY 

The  Route  that  probablyj  Washington  took  through 
THE  Town  on  his  Journey  from  Philadelphia  to  Cam- 
bridge TO  TAKE  Command  of  the  Armies  of  the  United 
Colonies  on  Wednesday,  June  28,  1775. 

Crossing  the  Housatonic  River  by  the  Ferry,  a  few  rods 
North  of  Washington  Bridge;  then  on  a  road  (Witch  Road), 
running  north  of  the  present  Turnpike  terminating  near  Hog 
Rock,  continuing  on  the  present  Turnpike  to  a  fork  in  the 
road  near  the  present  Tibbal's  House,  then  following  left  hand 
of  fork  along  by  the  Railroad,  across  the  Bridge,  to  the  right, 
to  the  next  fork,  then  left  a  short  distance  crossing  Clark 
Street.  Keeping  the  upper  road,  next  corner  turning  right 
into  West  Main  Street  over  what  was  known  as  Capt.  Cor- 
nelius Peck  Hill,  continuing  on  West  Main  over  Col.  Ford 
Hill,  where  there  was  an  old  tavern  built  in  1710.  On  reach- 
ing the  church  he  turned  right  into  West  River  Street  to 
where  the  railroad  bridge  is  now,  then  left  into  Daniel  Street, 
then  left  across  what  is  now  Memorial  Bridge  along  by  the 
railroad  route  across  Gulf  Street  to  Buckingham  Avenue,  a 
short  street  running  into  New  Haven  Avenue :  crossing  Indian 
River,  over  Eells  Hill  to  fork  in  the  road,  turning  left  by 
schoolhouse  at  Burwell's  Farm  into  New  Haven  Avenue,  turn- 

*  Upon  the  completion  of  Washington  Bridge  the  ferry  was  sold  to 
William  Hopkins  for  $750.00,  but  a  ferry  was  mentioned  at  Oronoque 
as  late  as  1850. 

t  Prepared  for  the  Pilgrimage  in  1914  of  the  Officers  of  the  National 
Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  to  mark  the  route 
taken  by  Gen.  Washington  on  his  journey  from  Philadelphia  to  Cam- 
bridge to  take  command  of  the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies,  June  22nd 
to  July  3d,  1775. 


22  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

ing  left  keeping  the  Avenue,  crossing  Oyster  River  Bridge; 
turning  left  over  Jones  Hill  into  West  Haven  at  the  Green, 
Campbell  Avenue  to  Mil  ford  Hill  over  West  Bridge  to  New 
Haven. 

Mile  stones  were  erected  along  this  road  by  Benjamin 
Franklin  during  his  administration  as  Postmaster-General  of 
the  United  States. 


*MILFORD  AS  A  MILL  TOWN 

1640  From  its  settlement.  Mil  ford  became  famous  as  a 
Mill  town.  March,  1640,  it  was  "agreed  between  William 
Fowler  and  the  brethren  that  he  should  build  a  mill  and  have 
her  going  by  the  last  of  September" ;  for  his  encouragement 
the  Town  made  him  a  grant  of  thirty  acres,  rent  free  during 
his  life,  which  land  long  bore  the  name  of  the  Mill  Lot.  It  was 
the  first  mill  erected  in  New  Haven  Colony  and  was  of  such 
importance  that  when  damaged  by  a  freshet  the  town  "voted 
whenever  aid  was  needed  that  each  man  should  contribute  one 
day's  work." 

1675  A  Fulling  Mill  and  a  Saw  Mill  were  built  on  the 
Island  near  the  meeting  house  by  Maj.  Treat,  Elder  Buck- 
ingham, Lieut.  Fowler,  and  Thomas  Hayes. 

1689  A  fulling  Mill  was  built  upon  Beaver  Brook  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Eells,  Timothy  Baldwin  and  Samuel  Couch.  Per- 
mission was  given  them  upon  consideration  that  they  agree  to 
build  a  bridge  if  the  dam  stopped  the  water  to  such  an  extent 
as  to  make  it  impassable  for  horses  or  carts. 

1706  John  Plumm,  Sr.,  was  permitted  to  set  up  a  Grist 
Mill  at  East  River,  on  condition  "that  he  build  a  good  cause- 
way and  bridge  for  foot,  cart  and  horse  over  the  river,"  he 
and  his  heirs  and  assigns  to  keep  the  same  in  repair. 

1 7 13-14  A  mill  was  erected  by  a  company  of  forty  at  the 
Gulf  but  did  not  prove  a  success. 

*  Name  may  have  been  acquired  from  the  English  town  of  this  name 
or  from  the  Mill  by  the  ford. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  23 

BURYING  GROUND 

The  Indians  had  a  burying  ground  at  Indian  Point  between 
East  River  and  the  Sound.  In  digging  the  cellar  for  the 
house  of  Daniel  Buckingham  some  years  since,  skeletons  were 
unearthed  buried  in  a  sitting  posture  and  apparently  preserved 
by  charcoal.  One  skeleton  indicated  that  the  owner  was  nearly 
eight  feet  in  height.  The  Indians  also  had  burying  grounds 
at  Oronoque  and  Turkey  Hill. 

The  eastern  end  of  Mr.  Prudden's  garden,  Plot  40,  was  first 
utilized  by  the  settlers  as  a  burying  place  and  Sarah  Camp, 
wife  of  Nicholas,  was  the  first  adult  person  buried  on  this 
spot.  It  is  said  that  she  had  twins  and  was  doing  well  until 
the  night  of  the  4th  of  September,  when  she  was  taken  sud- 
denly ill  from  a  cold,  died  in  the  morning  and  was  buried  in 
the  e\'ening  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  Peter  Prudden,  pastor. 

This  locality  was  used  for  the  purpose  of  a  burying  ground 
until  1675.     Mr.  Prudden,  himself,  was  buried  there  in  1656. 

Apparently  the  old  part  of  the  present  burying  ground  was 
acquired  at  about  that  time.  It  is  one  of  the  most  ancient 
and  interesting  in  the  country  and  contains  the  graves  of 
many  of  the  settlers  born  in  England. 

Inscriptions  on  tombstones  erected  prior  to  1800  were  trans- 
scribed  and  annotated  by  the  late  Nathan  G.  Pond  in  1889 
and  published  in  the  New  Haven  Colony  Historical  Society 
papers,  Vol.  V. 

1 75 1  Previous  to  1751  the  old  bui"ying  ground  was  open 
on  all  sides ;  but  at  that  time  a  fence  was  built  on  the  road 
side  and  a  road  three  rods  wide  laid  out  on  the  south  side. 
Adjoining  ground  has  been  acquired  by  purchase  at  different 
times. 

1825  Not  until  1825  was  a  hearse  purchased,  the  old- 
fashioned  method  of  carrying  on  a  bier  existing  until  that 
time. 

The  present  cemetery  contains  the  following  identified 
graves  of  Revolutionary  patriots,  the  tombs  indicated  by  a 
bronze  marker  furnished  by  the  Connecticut  Society  Sons  of 
the    American    Revolution: — John    Buckingham,     Benjamin 


24  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Gillette,  John  Ford,  Amos  Ford,  Capt.  Charles  Pond,  Lieut. 
Benjamin  Fenn,  Lieut.  John  Fowler,  Lieut.  Jehiel  Biyant,  Sr., 
Sergt.  Jehiel  Bryant,  Jr.,  Lieut.  Nathan  Baldwin,  Samuel 
Wise,  Samuel  B.  Smith,  Samuel  Clarke  and  David  Clarke. 

There  are  undoubtedly  other  graves  of  Revolutionary 
patriots  that  are  yet  unidentified. 

On  the  southwest  corner  of  the  old  burying  ground  stands 

an  imposing  monument  in  memory  of  revolutionary  soldiers 

who  were  buried  on  this  spot.*    The  following  inscription  tells 

the  story : 

INSCRIPTION 

In  honor  of  Forty-six  American  Soldiers  who  sacrificed  their  lives 
in  struggling  for  the  Independence  of  their  country;  this  monument 
was  erected  in  1852,  by  joint  liberality  of  the  General  Assembly; 
the  people  of  Milford  and  other  contributing  friends.  Two  hundred 
American  Soldiers,  in  a  destitute,  sickly  and  dying  condition,  were 
brought  from  a  British  Prison  Ship,  near  New  York,  and  suddenly  cast 
upon  our  shore  from  a  British  Cartel  ship,  on  the  first  of  January 
1777.  The  Inhabitants  of  Milford  made  the  most  charitable  efforts  for 
the  relief  of  these  suffering  strangers ;  yet  notwithstanding  all  their 
kind  ministrations  in  one  month  these  46  died  and  were  buried  in  one 
common  grave. 

Names  and  Residences  as  Inscribed  on  the  Monument. 

Captain  Stephen  Stow,  Milford,  Feb.  8,  1777;  Age  51  years. 

Josiah  Colman,  Sharon;  Ebenezer  Upham,  Killingly;  John  Smith, 
Chatham ;  Antonio  Gomez,  Spain ;  John  Clements,  Middlebury ;  Richard 
Drake.  Mass. ;  Samuel  Fuller,  Norwich ;  Amos  Smith,  Conn. ;  John  Snow, 
Chatham;  Richard  Holder,  Glastonbury;  John  Biddle,  New  London; 
John  White,  Mass.;  William  Thomas,  Rocky  Hill;  Ebenezer  Truman, 
Harwinton ;  Hezikiah  Lee,  Norwalk;  Joseph  Trowbridge,  Killingly; 
Stephen  Brown,  Mass.;  Benjamin  Peas,  Attleborough ;  Samuel  Everett, 
Wrentham ;  Samuel  Gale,  Penn. ;  Richard  Polsey,  Conn. ;  Nathan  Wil- 
ton, Conn.;    Elijah  Gregory,  New  London;   Thomas  Madison, ; 

Solomon  Jackson,  Middlebury;  Joseph  Arnold,  Chatham;  Thomas 
Wright,    Simsbury;     Simon    Elwell,    Mass.;     Abel    Hart,    Farmington; 

Constant  Turner,  Middletown ;    John  ,  Penn. ;    Robert  Coling- 

ham,  Cape  Ann;  Benjamin  Frisby,  Harwinton;  Abram  Beach,  Goshen; 
Asa  Ladd,  Haverhill ;  Samuel  Whitney,  Stratford ;  Elisha  Bronson, 
Litchfield;    John  Pomeroy,  Northampton;    Joseph  Mansier,   Middlebury; 

Stephen  ,  Penn.;    Richard  Minot,  Mass.;    Sergt.  Smith,  Mass.; 

Daniel  Benedict,  Harwinton ;  Sergt.  Wright,  Bolton ;  Sergt.  George 
Milburn,  Salem ;    Daniel  Farnham,  Windham. 

*  These  men  were  cared  for  by  Stephen  Stow,  husband  of  Freelove 
Baldwin  Stow,  after  whom  the  Milford  Chapter  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution  was  named. 


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Ground,  plan  qf  the  first  Meeting  Bouse, 

A,  the  pulpit;  B,  deacons'  seat;  G,  guard  seats;  D,  guard  seats 
on  the  women's  side  of  the  house.  The,  dots  show  the  place  where 
the  guns  were  set.  E,  gallery  stairs.  The  bell  rope  hung  down  in 
the  middle  aisle. 


26  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

CHURCHES 

1641  The  first  meeting  house,  erected  in  1641,  was  forty 
feet  square.  A  gallery  was  added  in  1697  and  in  1700  a 
place  was  provided  back  of  the  seats  for  the  "guards  to  set 
their  arms."  "In  sitting,  respect  was  paid  to  aged  persons, 
the  wives  of  church  officers  and  magistrates,  general  military 
officers  and  deaf  persons." 

1727-8  The  second  meeting  house  was  built  80x65  feet, 
three  stories  high,  two  tiers  of  gallery,  the  upper  one  designed 
for  the  slaves  and  other  blacks  to  sit  in.  The  plan  of  the  house 
was  said  to  have  been  drawn  by  Governor  Law,  1 740.  It  was 
voted  to  purchase  a  new  bell  of  600  pounds,  the  old  one  being 
cracked.*  In  the  same  year  Ebenezer  Parmelee  set  up  a 
brazed  clock,  which  proving  to  be  a  good  one,  the  Town,  two 
years  after,  paid  for  it.  In  1825  the  Town  employed  Barzillai 
Davidson  to  make  a  new  wooden  clock  at  an  expense  of  $260. 
He  took  for  part  payment  the  old  brazed  wheel  clock,  allowing 
for  it  $40.  This,  it  is  said,  he  set  up  and  sold  in  New  York 
for  $600. 

1 74 1  The  Second  Presbyterian  Society  at  Mil  ford  was 
originated  in  1741  by  members  of  the  First  Church,  opposed 
to  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Whittlesey.  "The  debates  were 
conducted  with  so  much  passion  that  it  is  said  fists  were 
doubled."  The  first  meeting  was  at  the  home  of  Mr.  George 
Clark,  Jr.  Persons  who  qualified  as  Presbyterians  according 
to  the  Church  of  Scotland  were  George  Clark,  Samuel  Tyrrel, 
Bartholomew  Sears,  Benjamin  Fenn,  Ezra  Camp,  Nathaniel 
Buckingham,  George  Clark,  Jr.,  Henry  Peck,  Joel  Baldwin, 
Elder  Noah  Baldwin,  Ephraim  Strong,  Jr.,  Samuel  Whiting, 

*  The  old  bell  was  taken  to  the  foundry  for  old  metal  in  part  payment 
for  the  new  one.  It  was  brazed  and  sold  to  a  society  in  Waterbury  and 
now  hangs  in  the  belfry  in  the  church  at  Salem  Bridge  and  is  considered 
to  be  the  best  bell  in  the  State. 

No  one  was  excused  from  attending  the  public  worship  on  Sunday, 
except  on  account  of  sickness.  A  fine  of  Four  Shillings  and  sometimes 
a  whipping  was  imposed  for  non-attendance.  Apples  and  nuts  were  not 
to  be  indulged  in  on  the  Lord's  day  or  travel  more  than  a  sabbath  journey 
(two  miles)   except  to  attend  meeting. 


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2  8  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Benjamin  Fenn,  Jr.,  John  Smith,  Jesse  Lambert,  Samuel  Sand- 
ford,  3d,  Joseph  Fenn,  Jr.,  Jeremiah  Peck,  Jr.,  Peleg  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Sanford,  Samuel  Smith,  Andrew  Sandford,  Jr.  John 
Sandford,  William  S.  Sears,  also,  soon  after,  Andrew  Sand- 
ford,  Jonathan  Fowler,  Josiah  Tibbals,  Ephraim  Strong,  Josiah 
Northrop,  Samuel  Sandford,  Jr.,  Joseph  Fenn,  Samuel  Bristol, 
John  Downs,  Samuel  Oviatt,  Thomas  Tibbals,  Thomas  Welch, 
Jerijah  Baldwin,  Edmund  Treat  and  Horace  Peck. 

1764  The  Episcopal  Society  was  formed  in  1764  although 
the  collector  of  taxes  in  1739  had  complained  that  they  met 
with  difficulty  in  collecting  from  some  persons  who  called 
themselves  Episcopalians  (Church  of  England),  and  it  was 
voted  that  the  selectmen  should  apply  for  advice  to  the  Hon. 
Jonathan  Law,  Roger  Newton  and  Samuel  Gunn,  Esq.,  and 
proceed  according  to  their  advice.  The  church  was  built  in 
1 77 1  and  consecrated  with  the  name  of  "St.  George  Church" 
in  March,  1775. 

1836  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Mil  ford  was 
formed  in  August  1836  at  the  home  of  Stephen  Gunn  and 
for  a  year  held  services  in  the  Baptist  Church  then  standing. 
In  1837  a  building  was  purchased  on  North  Street  for  $450, 
and  was  used  for  worship  until  1844,  when  the  larger  and 
more  commodious  one  was  built  on  Main  Street  opposite  the 
present  Mil  ford  Trust  Company  and  the  first  building  was 
sold  to  D.  Beach  &  Co.  for  use  in  connection  with  their  car- 
riage factories.  The  present  Mary  Taylor  Memorial  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  built  on  Broad  Street  in  1892-3,  by  the 
children  of  the  late  Henry  A.  and  Mary  Taylor  as  a  memorial 
to  their  mother,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  artistic 
churches  of  the  present  day. 

1853  The  first  Catholic  church  was  erected  on  Gulf  Street 
and  was  continued  as  a  mission  attached  to  St.  Mary's  of  New 
Haven. 

1 88 1  As  expressed  by  Rev.  P.  H.  McClean  in  an  interest- 
ing History  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Milford,  "With  the  zeal 
and  hearty  cooperation  of  the  faithful  of  Saint  Mary's,  the 
present  church  was  built  and  dedicated  on  June  25th,  1882." 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  29 


TAVERNS 


The  Tavern,  or  Public  House,  was  of  great  importance  to 
the  early  settlers,  the  method  of  traveling  being  such  as  to 
require  a  stop  for  refreshments  for  man  or  beast  at  frequent 
intervals. 

1644  The  Town  Records  of  1644  refer  to  a  debate  in 
reference  to  an  "Ordinary"  and  offered  inducement  to  Henry 
Tomlinson  if  he  would  undertake  one  speedily  so  that  the 
"town  might  not  be  destitute."  Apparently  Tomlinson 
exchanged  property  with  Richard  Bryan  and  established  a 
Public  House.  Lambert  says,  "on  the  old  country  road  10  or 
12  rods  west  of  the  meeting  house." 

1656  In  1656,  Tomlinson  was  before  the  court  for  selling 
strong  water,  wine  and  beer  at  greater  prices  than  allowed. 
This  tavern  was  afterwards  kept  by  the  Bryans  and  is  said  to 
have  existed  up  to  about  1820;  then  kept  by  David  Butler. 

1789  General  Washington  stopped  twice  at  Milford.  Lam- 
bert says  that  this  tavern  was  kept  by  Andrew  Clark  in  1789. 
Investigation  indicates  that  the  Clark  Tavern  was  located  on 
or  near  Plot  11  where  Joseph  R.  Clark  now  lives  on  West 
River  Street;  a  portion  of  the  house  is  still  standing  and  in 
good  state  of  preservation.  Mrs.  Clark  (Sarah  Ford)  relates 
a  story  often  told  her  by  her  grandmother,  who  saw  George 
Washington  as  he  came  up  the  stone  steps;  one  or  two  of 
these  steps  near  the  top  are  now  standing  and  serve  as  an 
entrance  from  the  street  to  the  present  house.  Her  grand- 
mother, who  lived  in  this  house,  also  recalled  General  Washing- 
ton's order  of  bread  and  milk  for  supper,  and  being  served 
with  a  pewter  spoon,  asked  for  a  silver  one.  When  told  that 
the  house  did  not  afford  one,  he  gave  a  shilling  to  the  attend- 
ant with  instructions  to  "go  over  to  the  minister's  and  borrow 
one." 

1 705     A  tavern  was  kept  on  lot  50  by  one  John  Camp. 

1 7 10  A  house  was  built  and  opened  by  Samuel  ]\Iiles  on 
the  hill  known  as  the   "Col.  Samuel  B.  Ford  Hill." 


30  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

1830-40  There  were  at  least  four  Public  Houses  in  the 
town  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  mentioned  by  Lambert. 
One  at  Washington  Bridge  kept  by  Capt.  Frank  Trowbridge, 
one  at  Mil  ford  Point  kept  by  Bennagh  Thompson.  This  was 
said  to  be  "a.  delightful  resort  for  people  from  the  country 
who  wished  to  visit  the  seashore."  The  Milford  Hotel  on 
Broad  Street  standing  on  the  present  site  of  the  Chapter  House 
of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  was  the  most 
important  and  was  kept  by  Nathan  Merwin.  Another  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  green,  probably  the  DeWitt  house  (now 
standing),  was  also  a  Public  House  at  that  time  and  was  kept 
by  Capt.  Stephen  Trowbridge.  A  Tavern  once  stood  opposite 
the  Episcopal  Church  called   "Buddington  Tavern." 


EDUCATION 

Education  received  early  attention.  The  first  schoolmaster 
was  Jasper  Gunn.    Richard  Bryan  was  also  an  early  teacher. 

1645  In  1645  the  first  school  house  was  built  and  occupied 
until  1734. 

1656  According  to  New  Haven  Records,  a  Latin  school 
was  established  in  Milford.  It  seemed  to  be  still  in  existence 
in  1696.  An  appropriation  of  thirty  pounds  was  made  from 
the  treasury  of  the  town  and  the  school  was  kept  open  the 
whole  year.  Mr.  Samuel  Andrews,  the  teacher,  was  to  see 
"that  the  school  was  attended  by  such  scholars  that  need 
learning." 

1750  In  1750  schools  Avere  established  at  Amity  (Wood- 
bridge),  ye  Bryan's  Farms,  Burwell's  Farms  and  Wheeler's 
Farms. 

1790  In  1790,  Steven  Gunn,  Esq.,  was  appointed  treasurer 
and  Gideon  Buckingham,  clerk,  to  receive  public  money  for  the 
school  fund  and  the  following  committee  were  appointed  to 
collect  the  money  and  pay  it  over  to  the  treasury :  Abraham 
W.  DeWitt,  Joseph  Pratt,  Jr.,  William  Cogswell,  William 
Atwater,  Nathan  Baldwin  and  Lewis  Mallett. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  3^ 

1734  In  1734,  a  new  school  house  was  buih  that  was  torn 
down  in  1758  by  British  Soldiers  on  a  lark  or  revel.  That 
year  being  the  year  of  the  French  and  Indian  Wars,  a  company 
of  the  King's  Troops  were  quartered  in  the  town. 

1833  In  1833  a  Town  Hall  was  built,  "Elijah  Baldwin, 
Architect,  expense  $12,000;  42x32  feet;  two  stories  high." 
The  upper  story  was  used  for  a  central  school  room.  It  was 
voted  that  the  lower  part  of  this  building  should  be  occupied 
for  the  use  of  the  town  exclusively  and  the  upper  part  for 
the  advancement  of  education.  It  is  the  impression  of  the 
writer  that  the  Original  West  Town  House,  yet  standing,  is 
the  building  herein  described.  Many  hundred  of  Milford 
boys  received  their  education  on  the  second  floor  of  that  portion 
of  this  Town  House.  In  the  first  two  hundred  years  of  the 
existence  of  the  town,  or  up  to  1838,  one  hundred  had  received 
collegiate  education. 


MILFORD  FURNISHED  THE  FIRST  THREE 

RECTORS  OR  PRESIDENTS  OF  YALE 

COLLEGE 

It  is  a  most  remarkable  fact  that  the  three  first  officers, 
rectors  or  presidents  of  Yale  College  were  directly  or  indirectly 
of  the  town  of  Milford. 

First  President.  Abraham  Pierson,  the  first  rector  of  Yale 
College,  resided  in  Milford  after  his  graduation  and  pursued 
his  theological  studies  under  Mr.  Newton.  There  he  married 
Abigail  Clark  (daughter  of  George  Clark),  sister  of  Sarah, 
the  mother  of  Governor  Law.  Pierson  held  the  position  of 
Yale's  president  from  1701  until  his  death  in  1712. 

Second  President.  Samuel  Andrews,  who  was  for  fifty 
years  a  pastor  in  the  town  of  Milford,  was  the  successor  of 
Abraham  Pierson  in  1707  and  was  the  second  rector  or 
President  of  Yale. 

Third  President.  In  1719,  Rev.  Timothy  Cutler,  son-in-law 
of  Rector  Andrews,  was  third  Rector  or  President  of  Yale 
and  as  Dexter  says,    "was  selected  not  without  misgivings." 


32  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

He  was  thirty-five  years  of  age,  had  made  a  favorable  im- 
pression for  abihty.  During  his  administration,  the  first 
college  building  was  erected  at  New  Haven.  "About  the  time 
it  was  finished,"  as  expressed  by  Dexter,  "the  Rector's  use- 
fulness came  to  a  sudden  end,  when  it  became  known  that 
he  was  considering  the  question  of  declaring  for  Episcopacy." 

Editor's  Notes 

Pierson  and  Andrews  were  original  trustees  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Connecticut  pastors  at  Branford  in  1701  that  had  constituted  the  founding 
of  Yale  College.  It  was  then  designated  by  Boston  gentlemen  from 
Harvard  College  as  a  collegiate  school. 

The  first  Yale  commencement  was  held  in  1702  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
Buckingham    (of  Milford  descent)    at  Saybrook  Point. 

The  beautiful  and  picturesque  "Laurelton  Hall,"  formerly  the  estate 
of  the  late  Henry  A.  Taylor  (built  by  Charles  H.  Pond)  is,  at  the 
present  time,  a  Catholic  boarding  school  for  young  ladies,  conducted  by 
the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  There  are  usually  from  seventy-five  to  one 
hundred  pupils. 


TRADE,  COMMERCE  AND  SHIP  BUILDING 

1819  The  Gazetteer  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode 
Island,  1 8 19,  refers  to  Milford  as  an  ancient  maritime  post 
township  and  says,  "It  is  a  circumstance  of  no  small  import- 
ance that  it  is  situated  immediately  upon  a  stream  of  water 
communicating  directly  with  Milford  Harbor  which  is  navi- 
gable to  the  Sound  and  sufficiently  copious  to  operate  the 
mills.  ,  .  .  The  waters  of  the  'Ousatonick,'  wash  its  Western 
border  and  the  Wapawaug  runs  through  its  center  from  North 

to  South The  great  Atlantic  road  from  New  Haven 

to  New  York  leads  through  the  center  of  this  town 

It  has  vessels  engaged  in  foreign  and  coastwise  trade.  .  .  . 
There  is  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  village  which  is  of  an 

ancient  date It  comprises  within  the  limits  of  about 

one  mile  space,  nearly  100  dwellings  many  of  which  are  neat 

and  handsome  buildings There  are  4  corn  mills ;   one 

of  which  is  a  large  merchant's  mill  for  flour  and  contains  4  run 
of  stones,  3  full  mills  and  clothiers'  works  3  carding  machines 
and  3  canneries.    .    .    .    The  population  in  1810  was  2,674; 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  33 

3  companies  of  militia  and  380  dwellinq^  houses.  The  Hst  of 
the  town  1816,  was  54,320  (dollars).  This  is  one  of  the 
ancient  towns  of  the  State  and  was  settled  as  early  as  1638." 

1640  The  first  merchants  were  Alexander  Bryan  and  son, 
Richard:  as  early  as  1640  trade  with  Boston  by  water  was 
begun. 

1650  The  town  granted  Bryan  a  piece  of  land  as  a  store- 
house, corner  of  Broad  Street  and  Dock  Lane  (Wharf  Street) 
and  he  built  a  dock  at  the  end  of  the  Lane. 

1653  He  contributed  the  dock  to  the  town  in  1653  on 
condition  that  it  should  always  be  kept  in  good  repair  at  the 
expense  of  the  town. 

1655  The  town  gave  Richard  Bryan  permission  to  build 
a  warehouse  near  his  father's  home  on  the  other  side  of  the 
highway  and  Sergeant  East  a  warehouse  between  this  and 
the  home  of  Miles  Merwin  the  tanner. 

1675  The  men  above  mentioned  owned  vessels  making 
voyages  to  the  West  Indies  and  between  Milford  and  Boston. 
They  sent  to  the  West  Indies  cattle,  horses,  beef  and  corn 
meal  and  brought  back  rum  and  molasses. 

1686  The  town  encouraged  trade  and  commerce  by  giving 
Nicholas  Camp  the  groimd  for  a  new  warehouse. 

1696  Mungel  Nesbitt,  a  resident  of  the  town,  was  given 
liberty  to  prosecute  free  trade  and  commerce  and  he  opened 
traffic  to  New  York  in  1696. 

1 714  Samuel  Clarke  bought  Bryan's  warehouse  in  1714 
and  in  1730  Peter  Perritt,  a  Frenchman,  built  a  wharf  and  sent 
a  ship  to  France  (for  a  cargo  of  wine)  which  made  a  good 
voyage  across  the  ocean  but  was  wrecked  and  the  cargo  lost 
between  Newport  and  Milford. 

About  1754,  John  Gibbs  engaged  in  maritime  enterprises 
and  sent  boats  from  Milford  to  Holland. 

1790     Charles  Pond  &  Co.  built  the  wharf  at  the  Gulf. 

1 82 1  Strong  &  Miles  engaged  beyond  their  capacity  in  a 
commercial  enterprise  and  failed.  With  their  failure  it  is 
said  the  marine  commercial  enterprises  of  the  town  were 
discontinued. 


34  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

1690  Ship  building  was  prominent  in  1690.  A  brig  of 
150  tons  was  built  and  in  1695  another  for  a  Boston  merchant. 

1717  The  Scaflozver  was  launched  by  Richard  Bryan  and 
several  boats  were  built  at  Mil  ford  for  New  York  and  Boston 
people.  The  last  important  vessel  built  was  an  East  Indian 
ship  named  Isabella,  launched  in  1818,  owned  by  parties  in 
New  York.  Vessels  were  also,  at  this  period,  built  upon  the 
"Housatonic"  River  and  at  Wheeler's  Farm.  A  ship  building 
plant  in  the  rear  of  Fowler's  Mill  existed  during  the  early 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

1651  Hop  raising  was  once  a  most  important  industry  of 
the  town  and  it  was  encouraged  by  the  authorities.  In  1651 
action  was  taken  by  the  General  Court,  owing  to  the  pressing 
need  for  hops.  Acres  of  ground  were  granted  to  Edward 
Wooster  to  be  improved  as  a  hop  garden.  Sergeant  Camp 
afterwards  had  a  grant  for  a  hop  garden  "for  as  much  land 
as  he  should  want  beside  the  Paugusett  River"  (Housatonic). 

Editor's  Note 

In  the  early  part  of  1800  the  quarrying  of  marble  at  Milford  was  an 
important  industry  The  color  of  the  stone  was  a  verde  antique  and  it 
was  so  attractive  that  the  Capitol  at  Washington  contains  chimney  pieces 
made  from  this  marble. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 


35 


Stiles  in  1794  says,  "Governor  Treat's  house  was  on  Mr. 
Tapp's  lot."  He  says,  "Mr.  Edmund  Treat,  now  80  years  old, 
lives  and  owns  the  farm  lot  with  other  pieces  of  land  that  were 
Mr.  Tapp's  and  Governor  Treat's." 


Southwest  vieio  of  Governor  Treat's  House. 

The  following  is  the  facsimile  of  his  signature,  and  of  the 
seal  used  by  him: 


Robert  Treat*  was  by  far  the  most  distinguished  citizen  the 
town  ever  produced  from  its  settlement  to  the  present  date. 
He  was  a  son  of  Richard,  the  founder  of  Wethersfield,  and 
came  to  Mil  ford  (when  sixteen  years  of  age)  with  Rev.  Prud- 
den.  He  rapidly  rose  to  prominence  and,  being  a  surveyor, 
assisted  in  the  laying  out  of  the  town. 

1653  Lambert  gives  him  the  credit  of  being  the  first  Town 
Clerk  of  Mil  ford  from  1640  to  1648  but  this  fact  is  difficult 
to  establish.     He  was  chosen  Deputy  from  the  General  Court 

*  For  a  more  complete  account  see  New  Haven  Colony  Historical 
Society,  Vol.  7,  paper  entitled  "Robert  Treat,  Founder,  Farmer,  Soldier, 
Statesman,  Governor,"  read  before  the  New  Haven  Colony  Historical 
Society  by  George  Hare  Ford,   191 1. 


mm'tm  ' 

y  i  ISM  CAPTAIN  liOBERI|Tli£AT  $i)lB  CEOSEFEKJHT 

1  i ;  RE ms  TOWN  ?ia(jistrate:the;:fiest:town:x;ierk, 

i \ I  « OF THETW MiflESTO THE; W^ 

f i      AND  IN  T8B  tJEKESAL  AFFAIRS  QF  THE  YOUNG:,  ; , 
^Ir^SEmENENTSlOUNB^ 

^|i;iAittWER!» 

IH  iril  FHiiii  PS  mi  BE  :WK  6^^^^      for  thihteen 
■  I  i  Yiffi$ip;M:oNE  ■  ort^^^ 

III     lEFllSEPiTiSjPliRII^MMi^  \ 


lilliilBAtHABE 

iiiiiiillY  FOREBMligWl  CiREAFER:  N 

'^    THB  SCH001MB!^'S  OilB. 

;iSS!StS&  BY  TH-g  mmlS  OrTHE^SWAFJX  -?USyC  SCHOOLS  .    , 


Treat  T<^3LE.T  ON  Kjnney  15uildin- 


Courtesy  of  Newark  Evening  News. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  37 

to  Milford  in  1653  and  annually  each  year  until  1659,  when 
he  was  elected  magistrate  and  served  until  1664,  when  he 
declined  reelection  in  consequence  of  being  obliged  to  take  the 
oath  prescribed,  namely : — favoring  the  union  of  New  Haven 
and  Connecticut  Colonies.  At  this  time  great  discontent  pre- 
vailed and  Milford  declined  to  send  representatives  to  the 
General  Court.  The  union  of  the  two  colonies  was  accom- 
plished in  1665  but  on  terms  so  unsatisfactory  to  Robert  Treat 
that  he,  with  forty  heads  of  families  from  New  Haven,  Mil- 
ford and  Branford,  together  with  Abraham  Pierson,  the  first 
rector  of  Yale  College,  as  their  spiritual  leader,  removed  and 
settled  on  the  banks  of  the  Passaic  River.  They  called  that 
place  "Milford,"  which  was  its  name  until  1667  when  its 
name  was  changed  to  Newark  in  honor  of  the  English  home 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Pierson. 

Treat  was  an  acknowledged  leader  of  men.  Stearns  in  his 
history  of  Newark  speaks  of  him  as  follows : — "Next  comes 
Robert  Treat  the  flower  and  pride  of  the  whole  company  and 
to  whose  wise  energy  Newark  owes  much  of  its  early  order 
and  good  management." 

The  inscription  upon  the  tablet  (see  illustration)  which  was 
recently  erected  in  Newark  on  the  site  of  his  old  home  will 
show  the  regard  in  which  he  is  still  held  by  the  people. 

1672  Treat,  however,  returned  to  Milford,  1672;  but 
retained  his  property  in  New  Jersey,  leaving  two  of  his  chil- 
dren on  that  soil.  At  all  Newark  historical  celebrations  Robert 
Treat  is  referred  to  as  the  father  and  founder. 

1654  -'^s  early  as  1654,  Treat  was  chosen  as  Lieutenant 
of  the  Train  band  at  Milford.  Later  he  was  elected  Captain 
and  in  1673  was  commissioned  as  Major  and  formed  a  com- 
mittee of  safety. 

1675  King  Phillip's  War.  Robert  Treat  was  chosen  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  Connecticut  forces.  The  most  con- 
spicuous event  in  his  long  military  career  was  the  "Swamp 
Fight."  On  his  return  he  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the 
militia  of  New  Haven  County. 

1676  The  followmg  year  he  was  elected  Deputy-Governor 
of  the  Colony  and  was  annually  elected  Governor  or  Deputy- 


38  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Governor  for  thirty-two  years  until  1708,  when  he  dedined 
reelection  to  the  office ;  having  served  during  the  most  im- 
portant years  of  New  England's  history.  In  1686  and  1687, 
James  II.  recalled  all  the  charters  of  the  New  England 
colonies. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  convened,  Governor 
Treat  in  the  chair  presided  over  the  deliberators.  Sir  Edmund 
Andros  arrived  with  great  ceremony,  demanding  the  charter 
in  the  name  of  the  crown.  "The  story  of  the  hiding  of  the 
charter,"  and  the  facts  in  connection  therewith  are  a  chapter 
of  history.  The  charter  was  preserved,  it  is  said,  "through 
the  diplomacy  and  skillful  management  by  the  masterhand 
of  Governor  Robert  Treat." 

Editor's  Note 

There  are  more  descendants  from  Richard  and  Robert  Treat  among  the 
members  of  The  Society  of  Colonial  Wars  than  from  any  other  family. 

1709  Col.  Robert  Newton  is  referred  to  as  a  prominent 
man  in  Milford.  He  was  a  grandson  of  the  minister,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Harvard,  distinguished  as  a  military  officer  in  Queen 
Anne's  War,  1709,  served  at  Louisburg  as  commander  of  the 
Connecticut  troops ;  was  a  Colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment, 
Judge  of  the  County  Court  and  Chief  Judge  in  1737  until  his 
death. 

1665  Gideon  Buckingham  is  referred  to  as  a  prominent 
man  in  the  colony.  A  graduate  of  Yale  in  1665,  thirty-four 
years  town  clerk. 

Gov.  Charles  Hobby  Pond,  whose  attractive  residence  stood 
upon  Broad  Street,  will  long  be  remembered  by  many  of  the 
present  day.  Of  commanding  presence — democratic  and 
aristocratic — courteous  and  magnetic ;  his  characteristics  have 
been  transmitted  to  his  descendants.  Milford  owes  much  to 
this  distinguished  family,  especially  the  late  Nathan  G.  Pond 
of  cherished  memory. 

Editor's  Note 

For  other  prominent  men  who  have  been  distinguished  in  the  various 
walks  of  life,  Military  and  Civic,  including  ancestors  of  the  Signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  see  Historical  Address  of  George  Hare 
Ford  upon  the  unveiling  of  the  Milford  Fountain,  page  70. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 


39 


This  house  stood  on  lot  15,  original  map.  Governor  Law 
purchased  the  lot  and  the  Regicide  house  and  according  to 
Stiles  built  his  house  a  rod  or  two  from  the  Regicide  house. 

Governor  Law  (Jonathan,  Jr.)  was  a  grandson  of  Richard 
Law  who  was  a  first  settler  of  Wethersfield,  later  moving  to 
Stamford  where  he  became  a  magistrate  and  had  business  at 


Southeast  view  of  Governor  Law^s  House 

The  following  is  a  fac-sinnile  of  Governor  Law's  signature, 
and  his  private  seal,  which,  it  may  be  seen,  is  a  combination  of 
the  letters  composing  his  name  : 


^{^^yvei4na4ir^  ^^c^ 


/^^"^i 


New  Haven.  The  following  story  is  told  in  connection  with 
the  settlement  of  Jonathan  Law  at  Alilford  in  1664:  Richard, 
the  magistrate,  and  Jonathan  his  son  were  being  entertained 
by  Robert  Treat  (afterwards  Governor)  over  Sunday.  At  the 
meeting  house  Jonathan  was  charmed  with  the  appearance  of 
one  of  the  maidens  present,  who  proved  to  be  Sarah,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  Clark.  Arrangements  were  made  for  an  intro- 
duction and  Jonathan  was  successful  in  his  suit.  They  were 
married  in  1664.  Their  son,  Jonathan,  Jr.  (afterwards  Gov- 
ernor), was  educated  at  Harvard,  graduating  in  1695.     He 


40  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Studied  law  and  acquired  a  reputation  in  this  State  as  a  coun- 
sellor. In  1724  he  was  chosen  Deputy-Governor;  in  1741 
Governor  and  he  was  annually  reelected  until  his  death.  In 
1750  President  Stiles  of  Yale  College  pronounced,  as  one 
expressed  it,  a  pompous  funeral  oration  in  Latin  upon  this 
occasion.  Governor  Law  had  five  wives  :  1698,  Anne  Elliott; 
1705,  Abigail  Arnold;   1706,  Abigail  Andrew,  daughter  of  the 

Minister.     His  fourth,  Sarah  ,   1726,  died  1727;    the 

fifth,  Eunice,  widow  of  Samuel  Andrew,  survived  him.  Gov- 
ernor Law  had  seven  sons,  Jahleel,  died  1701 ;  Jonathan,  born 
1705;  Jaheel,  born  1707,  settled  in  Cheshire;  Samuel,  171 1, 
Milford;  Richard,  1712,  died  early;  Richard,  1732,  settled 
in  New  London;  John,  1735,  died  in  the  Army,  French  War. 
Richard  and  John  were  students  at  Yale  at  the  time  of  the 
death  of  their  father.  Richard  graduated  in  1751;  was  a 
member  of  Congress,  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court ;  and  died 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  New  London. 

The  Regicide  House  is  Considered  to  be  the  Oldest  in 
Existence  in  the  Town  To-day 

Goffe  and  Whalley,  two  of  the  Judges  who  signed  the  death 
warrant  of  Charles  the  First,  resided  in  concealment  in  the 
vicinity  of  Milford  from  1661-1664,  three  years  and  seven 
months. 

The  most  prominent  house  of  historic  interest  that  can  be 
identified  as  still  in  existence  is  undoubtedly  the  Regicide 
House,  restored  and  removed  within  the  recollection  of  many 
of  the  present  day  to  the  south  side  of  Peacock  Lane  (now 
Maple  Street)  a  short  distance  from  West  River  Street. 

It  is  in  a  good  state  of  preservation  and  the  outline  of  the 
main  house  may  readily  be  recognized.  This  house  originally 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  central  school  house.  Lambert 
says  it  stood  on  plot  15.  Stiles  says,  "The  Judges  took  up  an 
asylum  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Tompkins  thirty  or  forty  rods 
from  the  meeting  house ;  that  Governor  Law  afterwards 
bought  this  house  and  lot  and  built  his  seat  on  that  lot  a  rod 
or  two  from  it."    He,  Stiles,  was  frequently  in  the  Tompkins 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 


41 


house  in  the  Governor's  time.  The  building  was  about  "twenty 
feet  square,  two  floors  on  a  stone  wall  and  considered  as  a 
store :  the  top  floor  used  by  the  Tompkins  family  as  a  spinning 
room." 

"The  Judges  were  here  in  concealment  for  two  years, 
1661-2.  Roger  Newton  was  the  minister.  Mr.  Treat,  Mr. 
Fenn  and  a  few  others  were  said  to  be  in  the  secret." 


'■'^-■^s'tM^u 


The  Judges  also  lived  for  a  time  at  Judges'  Cave  and  at 
Providence  Hill,  Amity,  "Woodbridge."  The  hill  is  said  to 
have  acquired  its  name  in  connection  with  the  Judges.* 

Stiles  states  that  Mr.  George  Clark,  a  very  intelligent  man, 
pointed  out  to  him  the  Providence  Hill  and  in  a  deed  executed 
by  this  Mr.  Clark  in  1716  in  deeding  land  to  his  son  he 
describes  it  as  being  at  a  place  called  the  Lodge.  A  brook 
of  water  running  westward  was  called  Bladen  Brook.  This 
place  is  now  on  the  farm  owned,  I  think,  by  Mr.  Peck.  While 
living  here  Richard  Sperry  of  Woodbridge  furnished  the 
Regicides  with  food.  The  Lodge  is  sometimes  called  Hatchet 
Llarbor. 
*  See  History  of  the  Judges,  President  Stiles,  1794. 


42  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

TOWN  CLERKS 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  town  clerks,  from  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town  to  the  present  time,  with  the  year  they  were 
chosen:  Robert  Treat  1640,  Richard  Baldwin  1648,  Samuel 
Eells  1680,  Daniel  Buckingham  1685,  Thomas  Oviatt  (or 
Offat)  1689,  Alexander  Bryan  1698,  Jonathan  Law,  Jr.,  1705, 
John  Fowler  1718,  John  Fowler,  Jr.,  1756,  David  B.  LigersoU 
1774,  Samuel  Whittlesey  1774,  Gideon  Buckingham  1776, 
Abraham  V.  H.  DeWitt  1809,  Samuel  Higby  181 3,  David  L. 
Baldwin  1836,  John  W.  Fowler  1876,  Richard  R.  Hapburn 
1895,  Frank  T.  Munson  1912. 

ARCTIC  ENGINE  COMPANY 

Arctic  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  i  of  Milford  was  organ- 
ized in  1839,  and  has  been  in  continual  existence  to  the  present 
time  with  a  membership  composed  of  the  most  influential  men 
of  the  town.  The  following  is  a  list  of  Foremen  with  the  date 
of  service:  Theo.  Buddington  1838-40,  Hammond  Beach 
1841-45,  Wilson  Plumb  1846-50,  Mark  Tibbals  1851-52,  Mark 
Mallett  1853-55,  John  P.  Downes  1856,  Francis  H.  Bradley 
1857,  David  Miles  1858-73,  Charles  Luke  1874-76,  Charles 
Munson  1877-82,  Wm.  H.  Andrews  1883-89,  E.  L.  Ford 
1890-92,  Frank  L.  Burns  1893-94,  Frank  L.  Burns  1894-1900, 
V/alter  M.  Irving  1900-02,  Charles  G.  Fowler  1902-03,  James 
E.  Nolan  1903-04,  Mortimer  B.  Fowler  1904-07,  James  E. 
Dorsey  1907-08,  Herman  Roder  1908-09,  Anthony  F.  Schlos- 
ser  1909-10,  James  E.  Dorsey  1910-11,  Lewis  F.  Stowe 
1911-14. 

Lambert  says,  "Milford  is  a  very  healthy  town"  and  the 
following  physicians  had  practised  in  the  town  up  to  1838: — 
Jasper  Gunn,  John  Durand,  John  Fisk,  Jean  Harpine,  Ezekiel 
Newton,  Zebulon  Gillet,  Thomas  Clark,  Elias  Carrington, 
Samuel  Whittelsey,  Caleb  Austin,  John  Rossiter,  Abraham 
Tomlinson,  John  Carrington,  Wm.  Tully,  Chas.  Beardsley, 
Elijah  F.  Bryan,  Andrew  French,  Hull  Allen,  and  Joseph 
Tomlinson. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  43 

NEW  MILFORD  SETTLED  BY  MILFORD 

1701-02  At  a  town  meeting  it  was  "voted  to  purchase 
land  at  Wiantinoque  of  the  Heathen"  and  all  the  freemen 
who  desired  to  take  a  share  were  at  liberty  to  do  so  and  those 
who  desired  to  exempt  themselves,  likewise  had  the  liberty  to 
do  so.  The  committee  appointed  to  conduct  the  transaction 
consisted  of  Col.  Robert  Treat,  Ensign  George  Clark,  Ensign 
Joseph  Treat,  Mr.  Thomas  Clark,  Ensign  Joseph  Peck,  Sergt. 
Jonathan  Baldwin  and  Sergt.  Timothy  Baldwin.  They  were 
instructed  "to  secure  the  town's  interest  there  to  the  best  of 
their  skill."* 

THE  TOWN  OF  ORANGE 

1822  Incorporated  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1822;  it 
was  originally  known  as  the  North  Mil  ford  Parish  and  its 
people  were  accustomed  to  attend  meetings  at  Milford  as  late 
as  1805. 

OWNERS  OF  SLAVES,  1790 

1790  According  to  the  First  Census  of  the  United  States, 
the  following  residents  of  Milford  in  1790,  were  owners  of 
slaves :  Elias  Carrington,  i  ;  Daniel  Buckingham.  2 ;  Enoch 
Clark,  I ;  Joseph  Treat,  2 ;  Jonah  Newton,  4 ;  John  Smith,  i ; 
Samuel  Smith,  i ;  Joseph  Rogers,  i ;  Isaac  Clark,  i ;  Char- 
lotte Andrews,  i ;  Phebe  Woodruff,  i  ;  Samuel  Piatt,  i  ;  Heil 
Bryan,  3 ;  Enoch  Clark,  2d,  i ;  Gideon  Piatt,  i ;  Elias  Clark,  2 ; 
William  Andrew,  2 ;  Richard  Treat,  i ;  John  Murrain,  i ; 
Elisha  Treat,  i;   Newton  Morris,  i;   Benedick  Law,  i. 

*  For  other  towns  settled  by  Milford  see  Historical  Address,  George 
Hare  Ford,  page  70. 


NAMES  OF  THE  HEADS  OF  FAMILIES  RESIDING  IN  THE  TOWN  OF  MILFORD 
ACCORDING  TO  THE  FIRST  UNITED   STATES  CENSUS 


Carrington,  Elias 

Higgins,  Timothy 

Hine,  Joel 

Martin,  Susannah 

Marchant,  Mary 

Nettleton,  Samuel 

Fern,  Mary 

Clarke,  Elizabeth 

Buckingham,  Daniel — 

Talmage,  Ezra 

Strong,  Ephrahim 

Strong,  Ephrahim 

Marshal,  Joseph 

Marshall,  John 

Northrop,  Clement 

Deering,  Samuel 

Deering  Andrew 

Deering,  John 

J)e6ring,  Ann 

Clarke,  Patty 

Clarke,  David 

Burk,  John 

Bristol,  Elizabeth 

Sommers,  Abel,  2 

Ashborn,  Abigal 

Bristol,  Phico 

Hatch,  Daniel 

Newton,  John 

Treat,  Isaac 

Clarke,  Enoch 

Prudden,  Jonathan 

Clarke,  Neah"" 

Treat,  Joseph 

Treat,  Isaac 

Treat,  Kobert 

Storer,  Joseph... 

Hine,  John 

Hine,  Joseph 

Trost,  Samiiel 

AlUng,  Gidion 

Woods,  Samuell 

Clarke,  Amos 

Evans,  Evan 

Newton,  Jonah 

Summers,  Henry 

Summers,  Isaac. . .' 

Smith,  John 

Gillet,  EUphalet 

Gillet,  Jonathan 

Smith,  Joseph 

Smith,  Samuel 

Jack  (>fegroe) 

Peter  (Negroe) 

Munson,  William 

Rogers,  Joseph 

Smith,  David 

Summers,  Abel 

Munson,  Daniel 

Benjamin,  Berzeler 

Botsford,  Aron 

Bassett,  Mary 

Turrel,  Mary 

Foot,  John 

Simeon  (Negroe) 

Joseph  (Negroe) 

Ovet,  Elliok 

Gunn,  Anna 

Roseter,  Timothy  W. . . 

Whiting,  Joseph 

Baldwin,  Thankfull... 

Morris,  Richard 

Merchant,  Samuel 

Bum,  David 

Nando  (Negroe) 

Camp,  Nathaniel 

Peck,  John,  2o'i 

Tomlinson,  David 

Bristow,  Nathan 

Bristow,  Richard 

Clarke,  Oliver 

Northrop,  Abel 

Smith,  Benjamin 

Lewis,  Sarah 

Baldwin,  Sibel 

Prtndle,  Charles 

Ovet,  Isaac 

Summers,  Agnes 

B.el£h{ord..  Elnatfean.,. 


Treat,  Jonathan 

Fenn,  Sarah 

Priden,  Samuel 

Woodruff,  Joseph 

Piatt,  Joseph 

Mallery,  Samuel 

Treat,  Daniel 

Bukingham,  Ephrahim 

Strong,  Elnathan 

Stone,  Samuel 

Clarke,  Isaac 

Andrews,  Charlotte    .. 
Nettleton,  Benijah. . . . 

Fenn,  Aron 

Piatt,  Richard 

Hine,  Stephen 

Woodruff,  Phebe 

Joe  (Negroe) 

Piatt,  Samuel 

Piatt.  Sibel 

Clarke,  Nathan 

Hine,  Isaac 

Hine,  Abraham 

Fenn,  James 

Bassett,  Edward 

Steward,  John 

Pridden,  John 

Priden,  Fletcher 

Baldwm,  Jerad 

Pritchard,  Isaac 

Pond,  Peter 

Tuller,  David , 

Colbrith,  John 

Downs,  John,  2""' 

Downs,  John 

Bristol,  David 

Welsh,  Martha 

Treat,  Edmond 

Malery,  Benjamin 

Bryant,  Hell 

Smith,  William 

Clarke,  Enock,  2°<i 

Piatt,  Gideon 

Clarke,  Elias 

Treat,  Saipuel 

Clarke,  Benjamin 

Rogers,  Jonathan 

Bryant,  John 

Fenn,  Samuel 

Andrew,  William 

Bryant,  Thomas 

Woodruff,  Mathew 

Nettleton ,  I  saac 

Marks,  Abraham 

Buckingham,  Joseph. . 

Marks,  Zacheriah 

Treat,  Francis 

Treat,  Richard 

Treat,  Jolm 

Treat,  John,  2"<' 

Parker,  Jeremiah 

Fenn,  John 

Fenn, Isaac 

Welsh,  Thomas 

Murrain,  John,  3^'' 

Pritchard,  Martha 

Bryant,  Heil 

Molton ,  Joseph 

Peck,  Ephrahim 

Jeff  (Negroe) 

Gabriel,  Peter 

Gabriel,  Henry 

Bull,  Benjamin 

Smith,  Ebenezer 

Smith,  Andrew 

Bull,  Anna 

Peck,  Hezekiah 

Baldwin,  Justice 

Isaacs,  Isaac  B 

AS'arren,  Jonathan 

Clarke,  Thomas 

Mallery,  Moses 

Treat,  Stephen 

Murrain,  John 

Piatt,  Benjamin 

Isbell,  Israel 

Treat,  Elisha 

Hooker,  John. _. , . 


1790 


Fowler,  Nathaniel 

Fowler,  Anna 

Hoods,  Catherine 

Jones,  Isaac 

Lawrence,  Katey 

Miles,  John 

Green,  Sarah 

Clarke,  Mary 

Jones,  John 

Woods,  Titus 

Fowler,  John 

Piatt,  Jiremiah 

Buckingham,  John 

Buckingham,  Gedion.. 

Bradley,  Israel 

Goldsmith,  Joseph 

Donalds,  Samuel 

James  (Negroe) 

Higby,  Samuel 

Plumb,  Samuel 

Wise,  Samuel 


Pry  (Negroe) . 

Mailery,  Mosses 

Clarke,  Andrew 

Britton,  Newton 

Lockwood,  William  . . . 
Carrington,  Edward... 

Sheldon,  Hannah 

Sears,  Francis 

Ingersall,  Clement 

Green,,  Anna 

Glenny,  \V  illiam 

Mallet,  Lewis 

Miles,  Tilla 

Hepbom,  Peter. 

Perit,  Peter 

Davidson,  James 

Fowler,  Nathaniel,  2»4. 

Bristow,  John 

Biyant,  Joseph 

Galbin,  Benjamin 

Mallery.  Moses 

Bino,  Watham 

Sacket,  Daniel 

Stow,  Samuel 

Dickenson,  Sylvanus . . 

Harpin,  John 

Balav/in,  Phineas 

Stow,  William 

Bam,  Daniel 

Murren,  David 

JeUet,  Zebulon 

Davidson,  Josenh 

De  Witt,  Garret 

Coegeshall,  William . . . 

Bull,  Henrj' 

Lartherbie,  William... 

Pond,  Charles 

Tomlinson,  .\braham. . 

Baldwin.  Asbeil 

Smith,  Mary 

Arnold,  Abigal 

Coggshall,  Frcegift 

De  Wint,  Garret  N 

Pe  Wint,  Abraham  N. 

Tebbalds,  James 

Nettleton,  Nathaniel.. 

Goldsmith,  Gilbert 

Baldwin,  Heil 

Perit,  Peter 

Mallet  John 

Vanduser,  Thomas 

Hicock,  Aron 

Gilbert,  Katey 

Stow,  Freelove 

Stow,  Stephen 

Stow,  John 

Thompson.  Jamea.,... 

Ball,  Benedah 

Bull,  Temperance 

Miles,  Daniel 

Goldsmith,  William. . . 

Goldsmith,  James 

Goldsmith,  James,  2»>'. . 
Beardsley,  John. . 

Gray,  William 

Stevens,  Eliphalet 
JTebbalds,  Arnold. 


Jillet,  Eliphalet 

Baldwin,  Thadeus 

Baldvrin,  Abraham 

Ceaser  (Negroe) 

Whitney,  Isaac 

Prime  (Negroe) 

Wetmore,  Joseph 

Beebie,  JoeL 

Plumb,  John 

Anderson,  Atiny 

Prime  (Negroe) 

Miles,  Theophilus 

Bull,  Jeremiah. 

Baldwin,  Isaac 

Mallery,'Daniel 

Baldwin,  Jeremiah 

Baldwin,  David 

Attwater,  William 

Baldwin,  Isaao.  2<"i 

Gowsley ,  William 

Gunn,  Isaac... 

Clarke,  William. 

Northrop,  Lazerus 

Camp,  David 

Ford,  Amos 

Bisco,  Ruth 

Baldwin,  Elnathan 

Tomlinson,  William... 

Nettleton,  Caleb , 

Stow,  Jedediah , 

Baldwin,  Advice. 

BaldT^in,  Elisha... 

Baldwin,  Nathan...... 

Baldwin,  Eliph 

TibbaJds,  Arnold , 

Clarke,  Jonathan , 

Tibbalds,  Benedick 

Tibbalds,  Samuel 

Baldwin,  Nathan,  >^.. 

Bard,  Abigel 

MiUs,  David 

Smith,  Joel 

Clarke,  Joseph 

Camp,  Ezra 

Ovet,  Isaac 

Clarke,  Abraham 

Collins,  John 

Tibbalds,  David 

Camp,  Mary 

Bard,  Andrew 

Turrel,  Samuel 

Turrel,  David 

Clarke,  Abel 

Hine,  Samuel 

Tibbalds,  Lemuel 

Baldwin,  Josiah 

Northrop,  Moses 

Smith,  Hezekiah 

Smith,  Caleb 

Bim,  David 

Camp,  Elias 

Hine,  George 

Basset,  Samuel 

OCain,  Antony 

Bassett,  Samuel, 2n<i.. 

Bassett,  David 

Ovett,  Ebenezer 

Smith,  Ebenezer 

Peck.  Abraham 

Northrop,  Heth 

Nettleton,  Thaddeus. 

Ovett,  Nathan 

Mallery,  Aron 

Basett,  Isaac 

Bawley,  John 

Clarke,  Joseph 

Peck,  Benjamin 

Hine,  David 

Beers,  Benjamin 

Beers,  John 

Tuttle,  Andrew 

Tuttle,  Andrew,  2'"» . . 

Ford,  John 

Ford,  John,  2o<i 

Ford,  Thomas 

Ford,  Thomas 

Botchford,  David 

Botchford._E;i  —  t^. 


jjellet,  John 

Clarke,  William 

iMarren,  John 

Sadley,  John 

Bens,  Juno 

Baldwin,  Soloman. ..... 

Baldwin,  Daniel 

Piatt,  Isaac 

Purtree,  John 

Plumb,  Isaac , 

Bush,  Ltndie , 

Beach,  Thomas... 

Burrel,  Samuel . 

Burrel,  Samuel,  2'>'* 

JeUet,  John,  2''i 

Bunnel,  John 

Pritchard,  Nathaniel... 

Burrel,  Jeremiah. 

Burrel,  Daniel 

Beech,  Thadeua. ....... 

Beech,  Samuel 

Parker,  James 

Plump,  Joseph 

Plump,  Joseph,  2'"i -. 

Murrain,  Miles 

Ellis,  Samuel 

Ellis,  Samuel,  2a<i ; 

Ellis,  Hester 

Ellis,  Sibel 

Murdock,  William 

Pritchard,  Nathaniel . . . 

Whiting,  Johiji ., 

Murren,  Mary 

Clarke,  Rebecca .'. 

Clarke,  Amos J 

Piatt,  Hannah , 

Clarke,  Samuel 

Smith,  Isaac 

Piatt,  Joseph -. 

Savinson,  William 
ott,  William 

Jellet,  Benjamin 

Strong,  John ,'; 

Trant,  Philo 

Bryan,  Oliver J 

Pond,  Elizabeth 

Camp,  Joab 

Woodruk,  Barnabas. ..J 

Sandford,  John j 

Sandford,  Elisha , 

Wolcott,  John 

Sandlord,  Mother .  .i 

Treat,  Joseph,  2°'' : 

Hine,  Aron 

Pardie,  Joseph I 

Clement,  Isaac ■ 

Tr^at,  Robert ,  ^^ 

Marchant,  Ezra 

Gibbs  John  

Smith,  Joseph ; 

Camp,  Samuel 

Camp,  Ilail 

Peck,  John 

Covert,  Elerick, 

■Hine,  Titus 

Congo  (Negroe) 

Pomp  (Negroe) 

Law,  Benedick 

Lambert,  Jesse..._......u^.^ 

Peck,  Samuel 

Peck,  Stephen 1 

Gunn,  Stephen .; 

Baldwin^  Amos v 

Baldwin,  Edward 

Peck,  Michael ; 

Smith,  Jeremiah ^....^ 

Fowler,  Timothy 

FowIerL\Villiam . . .  ._.^.^ 

Morris,  Newton 

B  radley  ■  Jerad ^ 

Stevens ,  Thomas 

Lambert,  David ; 

Tmssell,  Elizabeth , 

Ben  (N%roe). ] 

Buckingham,  Isaac. , . . .; 

Pardy,  Josiah 

Woodruff,  Mather 

Prindle,  Josep 

Lambeth,  David,  Z"*" . . . 

Sacket,  Jonathan 

Donnalds,  Samuel,  Z"*.. 

Isbel,  Sarah 

Law,  Jonathan 

Ovet.  Hannah 


HISTORICAL    SKETCHES  45 


NAMES   OF  RESIDENTS   OF  THE  TOWN   OF  MILFORD   WHO 
SERVED  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR  1861-65* 

Abbott,  Oramel  G.,  Lieut.;  Andrews,  Gilead  T. ;  Amesbury,  Marvin 
H.,  Sergt. 

Baker,  Edward  E. ;  Baldwin,  Edwin  B. ;  Baldwin,  Dennis  E. ;  Bald- 
win, Dewitt;  Baldwin,  Elliott  H. ;  Baldwin,  Charles  W. ;  Baldwin, 
John  H. ;  Baldwin,  Roger  S. ;  Baldwin,  Chauncey;  Beach,  Dennis,  ist 
Lieut. ;  Beach,  Fuller  W. ;  Beach,  George  Marvin,  2d  Lieut. ;  Beach, 
Oscar  C. ;  Beach,  Elliott  H. ;  Beach,  Calvin ;  Beard,  Wm.  Addison ; 
Bristol,  Lewis  D. ;  Baird,  Jas.  W. ;  Baird,  George  U.,  Brig.  Gen'l ; 
Beers,  Ira  S.,  Capt. ;  Beecher,  Henry  M. ;  Beecher,  R.  Frank ;  Bassett, 
Mark ;  Bartlett,  Chas.  H. ;  Benham,  Geo.  W. ;  Benham,  Chas.  H. ; 
Bristol,  William  T. ;  Bristol,  William  M.;  Bristol,  Julius  A.,  Sergt; 
Benjamin,  David  W. ;  Benjamin,  J.  M. ;  Batchelor,  Henry  E. ;  Bishop, 
Willett  M. ;  Broadwell,  Commodore  M.,  ist  Sergt.;  Burns,  Benjamin 
Walter  S. ;  Buckingham,  John  W.,  Lieut. ;  Buckingham,  George  F. ; 
Burrleigh,  Edward  W.,  Armorer ;  Brown,  James  P. ;  Bristol,  Edwin ; 
Buchanan,  J.  J.;  Batsford,  Chas.  H.  K. ;  Burnett,  Thomas;  Bronson, 
Wm.  L. ;  Burwell,  Arnold;  Booth,  Joseph  W. ;  Burns,  Geo.  Nelson; 
Bristol,  Lewis  B. ;    Billings,  Peter,  Musician ;    Brill,  William  F. 

Canfield,  Smith ;  Coy,  Geo.  W. ;  Collins,  George  C.  M. ;  Cairoli,  J.  S. ; 
Chase,  Wallace;  Cornwall,  Frederic;  Cornwall,  Chas.  E. ;  Curtiss,  Chas. 
E. ;  Dark,  Arthur  E. ;  Clark,  Arthur  W. ;  Clark,  Augustus ;  Clark, 
Almon  E. ;  Clark,  Albertus  N. ;  Clark,  Everitt  B. ;  Clark,  John  G. ; 
Clark,  Joseph  R. ;  Clark,  Marshall  A. ;  Clark,  Nathan ;  Clark,  Theodore 
M. ;  Clark,  Edwin  W. ;  Clark,  Samuel ;  Coleman,  William ;  Colter, 
Charles;  Christian,  Carle;  Clark,  Samuel  B. ;  Clark,  Sydney  E.,  Major; 
Dahl,  John  W. ;  De  Gauno,  John  L. ;  Dickinson,  Sylvanus,  Lieut. ; 
Dodge,  Jeremiah  R. ;  Dowd,  Martin  V. ;  Downs,  Henry  A. ;  Dayton, 
George  H. 

Ells,  William,  Major;  Eaton,  Shepard  F. ;  Edwards,  Harmon  T. ; 
Elkins,  George. 

Ford,  Charles  W. ;  Ford,  James  E. ;  Fenn,  William  S. ;  Ferris,  James 
L.,  Yeoman ;  Foster,  Francis  A. ;  Fowler,  Joseph ;  Fowler,  William ; 
French,  Smith  B. ;    French,  Burr  H. 

Gabriel,  Joseph  Peter ;  Gabriel,  Theodore ;  Gavin,  Patrick  J.,  Corp. ; 
Gammel,  William  F. ;  Glcnney,  Samuel  C. ;  Glenney.  George  H. ; 
Glenney,  Stephen  W. ;  Graham,  John  L.,  Sergt. ;  Graham,  Wallace  W. ; 
Graham,  W.  L. ;  Gage,  Robert  B.,  ist  Sergt.;  Gabriel,  John;  Gall,  John; 
Gauche  (or  Dauche). 

Haley,  Thomas;  Harris,  W.  H.,  Sergt.;  Harris,  Theodore;  Hawley, 
Wm.  H. ;  Hill,  Daniel ;  Hine,  Abner ;  Hine,  Aaron ;  Hine,  George  W. ; 
Hine,  James  R. ;    Hine,  Lewis  ;    Hopper,  Charles,  Corp. ;    Hooghkirk,  Wil- 

*  Compiled  fom  records  furnished  by  Nathan  Stow,  a  .civil  war 
veteran  and  a  descendant  of  Stephen  Stow  the  Revolutionary  Patriot. 


46  HISTORICAL    SKETCHES 

Ham;  Hyde,  Samuel  D. ;  Hitchcock,  Shirland;  Horigan,  Patrick; 
Harris,   William ;    Hephim,   Richard,   Acting  Ensign ;    Higby,   George   O. 

Jackson,  Charles  S. ;  Jackson,  Homer ;  Johnson,  Guernsey ;  Jackson, 
Gilbert. 

Keeshan,  Dennis ;    Keif  er,  Daniel  J. 

Larrabee,   Edwin   H. ;    London,   Charles,   ist   Sergt. ;    London,   Horace. 

Manville,  George  W. ;  Marshall,  Henry  G.,  Lieut.  Capt. ;  Marks,  Hobart; 
Marks,  Treat  A. ;  Merwin,  Chas.  W. ;  Merwin,  John  H. ;  Michel,  Carl 
(Chas.  Michel);  Morris,  Charles  J.;  Murphy,  Lawrence;  McBride, 
Wm.  T. ;    McCarthy,  James  ;    MaGuinness,  James. 

Nolan,  Andrew ;  Nettleton,  Elliott  W. ;  Nettleton,  Harvey  S. ;  Nettle- 
ton,  Henry;  Nettleton,  Lewis  J.;  Nettleton,  Samuel  A.;  Northrup, 
W.  A. 

Overton,  Edward  W. ;  Oviatt,  Edward  L. ;  Oviatt,  Erasmus ;  Oviatt, 
John  M. ;    Oviatt.  Willis  L.,  Lieut. 

Peck,  George  T.,  Corp. ;  Peck,  Chester  D. ;  Peck,  Ira  Abbott ;  Peck, 
Ralph,  Acting  Ensign ;  Peck,  William  H. ;  Peet,  Lauren ;  Pike,  George 
W. ;  Peabody,  Joseph  N.,  Acting  Ensign ;  Plumb,  Albert ;  Plumb, 
Edwin  W.;  Plumb,  Wm.  Elliott;  Plumb,  Sydney  H. ;  Piatt,  Albert  C; 
Porter,  Albert  A. ;  Pope,  Julius  J. ;  Prince,  Alvin  C. ;  Prince,  George 
W.;    Peck,  F.  Henry. 

Rallis,  Dwight ;  Rogers,  George  E. ;  Roberts,  Frank  H. ;  Ricks, 
William,  Sergt. 

Sanford,  Chas.  H.,  Capt.;  Sanford,  Chas.  W. ;  Sanford,  John  F., 
Lieut.;  Scott,  William  O. ;  Scofield,  John  E;  Scranton,  Alonzo;  Shine, 
John ;  Sherman,  Henry ;  Spencer,  Rufus ;  Slade,  Frederic  C. ;  Somers, 
Joseph ;  Somers,  Dwight ;  Somers,  Levi ;  Smith,  Andrew ;  Smith, 
Caleb ;  Smith,  Elliott  W. ;  Smith,  Brainerd,  Capt. ;  Smith,  Henry 
Herbert,  Corp.;  Smith,  Henry  E. ;  Smith,  James,  Lieut.;  Smith,  Joel; 
Smith,  Miles;  Smith,  Hezikiah,  P.;  Smith,  Sam'l  B. ;  Sullivan,  James; 
Stowe,  Edgar  P. ;  Stowe,  Luke ;  Stowe,  Nathan ;  Stowe,  Nelson  L. ; 
Stowe,  Sydney ;    Sonnewald,  August  E. 

Taft,  Lowell ;  Tibbals,  George  W. ;  Tibbals,  James  S. ;  Tibbals,  Albert 
C. ;  Tinkham,  L.  Enos ;  Treat,  Noyes ;  Tucker,  Henry  A. ;  Trowers, 
Wm. ;  Tuthill,  Thomas  C. ;  Trowbridge,  Wm.  D. ;  Tinkham,  W.  H. ; 
Totten,  Charles  A. ;    Treat,  Thelus  C. 

Van  Horn,  Edgar ;    Van  Horn,  George. 

Warburton,  Samuel;  Welch,  Lewis  M. ;  Williams,  Thomas;  Wilson, 
Joseph ;  Wilson,  William  L. ;  Wilcox,  John  W. ;  Whitcomb,  Russell ; 
Woodbury,  Joseph  S. ;  Woodruff,  Stiles;  Woods,  Francis  Victor; 
Williston,  Josiah  F. ;    Word,  Thomas  J. 

Yale,  Merrit  A.;    Yale,  Ed. 


THE    HICBY    HOUSE 


The  story  of  .laroii  Burr's  Encounter  zvitli  the  Deacon 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  and  interesting  old  houses  in  the  town  is 
the  Higby  House  near  the  Second  Congregational  Church.  It  is  a  typical 
old  New  England  house  and  was  built  by  Samuel  Higby  in  1787,  at  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  War;  he  had  served  in  Col.  Wolcott's  regi- 
ment. Higby  was  a  deacon  of  what  was  then  called  the  Second  Church 
and  a  tithing  man.  This  story  is  told  and  verified  by  Mr.  William  Higby, 
now  living : — "On  Sunday  the  tithing  man  was  accustomed  to  take  his 
position  in  the  belfry  of  the  church  where  he  could  watch  the  post  road 
to  enforce  the  law  in  reference  to  Sunday  traveling.  One  Sunday  morning 
a  carriage  with  postillions  and  out-riders  came  at  a  rapid  pace  down  the 
road.  Higby  went  out  and  stopped  them.  The  occupant  was  Aaron  Burr, 
Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  who  insisted  that  it  was  necessary 
that  he  should  be  in  Philadelphia  at  a  certain  time.  Higby  informed 
him  that  "If  the  work  of  a  man  was  of  more  consequence  than  the  work 
of  God,  that  was  one  thing;  but  he  did  not  think  so"  and  therefore  "sent 
him  to  the  tavern  to  put  up  until  sundown."  This  tavern,  it  is  said,  was 
located  somewhere  near  the  First  Church. 


"A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY" 

A  Thanksgiving  Sermon*  Preached  at  the  First 

Church,  Milford,  November  25,  1858,  by 

Jonathan  Brace,  D.D.,  Pastor  of 

the  Church 

Psalm  cxliii  :  5. — /  remember  the  days  of  old. 

The  Poet  Young  tells  us  "  'Tis  greatly  wise  to  talk  with 
our  past  hours ;"  and  David  thought  that  it  was  well  to  call 
to  mind  former  days.  'T  remember,"  he  says,  "the  days 
of  old." 

The  future  is  mostly  concealed  from  us.  We  cannot  lift 
the  curtain  which  hides  it  from  our  sight.  Not  so  with  the 
past.  To  that  we  can  go  back,  and  find  in  the  review  enter- 
tainment and  profit. 

The  advantages  of  the  study  of  history  are  many  and 
various.  It  invigorates  and  enriches  the  mind ;  it  improves 
the  memory;  it  gratifies  a  natural  and  worthy  desire  to  be 
acquainted  with  remote  transactions ;  it  enables  us  to  avail 
ourselves  of  the  experience  of  our  predecessors;  it  informs 
and  regulates  our  judgment ;  and  it  "is  profitable  for  reproof, 
for  correction,"  and  for  strengthening  the  sentiments  of 
virtue.  Indeed,  a  knowledge  of  history  is  not  only  indispen- 
sable to  the  man  of  letters,  but  should  be  sought  by  every 
person  who  would  not  be  often  confounded,  and  mortified 
because  of  his  ignorance. 

More  than  half  of  that  Book  of  Books — the  Holy  Bible, 
consists  of  history,  and  a  familiarity  with  it  is  necessary  to 
enable  us  fully  to  understand  another  considerable  portion 
of  this  precious  volume  which  is  denominated  prophetic. 

The  earliest  records  of  humanity  are  found  in  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  and  for  this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  they  have 
the  first  claim  on  our  diligent  study.     Next  to  this  inspired 

*  Reprint  from  a  copy  loaned  by  Deacon  George  F.  Piatt. 


48  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

history,  our  own  town,  commonwealth,  and  country  should 
receive  our  notice :  for  important  as  is  an  acquaintance  with 
Persian,  Grecian,  Roman,  and  European  history,  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  American  history  is  to  us  more  valuable. 

Six  years  ago,  on  an  occasion  like  the  present,  I  gave  a 
brief  account — which  was  subsequently  printed  by  your 
request,  of  the  First  Church  in  Mil  ford.  It  was  appropriate 
to  commence  here,  for  this  Church  was  coeval  with  the  New 
Haven  colony,  and  may  properly  be  regarded  as  the  parent 
of  the  civil  state.  I  now  propose  to  group  together  concern- 
ing it,  and  the  Town  we  inhabit,  such  other  particulars  not 
then  mentioned,  as  can  be  brought  within  the  limits  of  a  single 
discourse,  and  which  may  be  considered  most  deserving  of 
our  remembrance. 

Standing,  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  two  hundred  and  twenty 
years,  on  the  spot  selected  by  the  first  settlers  as  their  abode, 
what  a  contrast  between  the  condition  of  things  here  then, 
and  this  condition  now!  The  same  stream  indeed  is  here, 
pursuing  its  shining  way  to  Long  Island  Sound,  which  rolled 
then;  and  the  Sound,  now,  as  then,  mirrors  the  heavens  in 
its  placid  bosom,  or  breaks  its  foam-capped  waves  upon  the 
beach; — but  all  else  how  changed!  The  dark  tangled  forests 
have  gone;  the  wild  beasts  which  prowled  there  for  prey  are 
gone  likewise;  the  Indians  with  their  canoes,  wigwams, 
council-fires  and  terrific  war-whoop  have  also  disappeared; 
and  in  their  place  we  have  fertile  fields,  smiling  gardens,  taste- 
ful commodious  dwellings,  a  civilized  community,  and  temples 
of  the  living  God.  Could  the  primitive  inhabitants  of  our 
village,  "burst  their  cerements,"  come  out  of  their  sepulchres, 
and  look  upon  us  today,  they  would  think  that  we  lived  on 
another  planet  from  that  which  they  once  resided ;  and  would 
be  quite  sure  of  the  fact,  when  learning  that  along  the  electric 
wire  which  stretches  through  the  village,  messages  are  flashed 
with  the  rapidity  of  thought;  or  when  they  saw  the  iron 
horse  advancing,  breathing  from  his  nostrils,  smoke  and 
flame,  and  heard  the  long  panting  trains  of  cars  thundering 
on  with  their  living  freight!     But  the  locality  is  the  same. 


A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY  49 

Time,  culture,  and  science,  alone,  have  wrought  the  trans- 
formation. 

The  earhest  settlements  in  Connecticut  were  formed  by 
people  from  Massachusetts.  These  settlements  were  Wind- 
sor,* Hartford  and  Wethersfield.  After  the  lapse  of  two  or 
three  years  from  the  time  these  settlements  were  made,  the 
sea-coast  from  Saybrook  to  Fairfield  became  known,  and  a 
plantation,  as  it  was  called,  was  commenced  at  Milford.  This 
was  in  1639.  For  the  value  received  from  the  possession  of 
"six  coats,  ten  blankets,  one  kettle,  twelve  hatchets,  twelve 
hoes,  two  dozen  knives,  and  a  dozen  small  glasses,"  a  tract 
of  land  was  obtained  of  the  Indians,  who  confirmed  the  bar- 
gain with  much  parade.  Subsequently,  this  original  tract  was 
enlarged  by  other  purchases,  until  the  limits  reached  north 
even  as  far  as  to  what  is  now  Waterbury.  The  territory  has 
since  been  ceded,  section  after  section,  to  aid  in  forming  the 
towns  of  Waterbury,  Derby,  Woodbridge,  and  Orange,  until 
it  is  reduced  to  its  present  dimensions, — the  figure  of  which 
is  triangular.  The  name  given  to  the  place  by  the  Indians 
was  Wepawaug;  and  a  majority  of  the  planters  were  from 
the  English  counties  of  York  and  Essex.  We  do  gross 
injustice  to  these  worthies  if  we  say  that  they  crossed  the  wild 
Atlantic,  and  came  to  these  inhospitable  shores,  tenanted  only 
by  the  savage  and  his  game,  merely  to  better  their  temporal 
fortunes. 

A  few  months  after  the  arrival  of  Winthrop's  company  at 
Plymouth,  Governor  Dudley  wrote  home  to  the  Countess  of 
Lincoln.  In  that  letter  he  says :  "If  any  godly  men,  out  of 
religious  ends,  will  come  over  to  help  us  in  the  good  work  we 
are  about,  I  think  they  cannot  dispose  of  themselves  nor  of 
their  estates  more  to  God's  glory,  and  the  furtherance  of  their 
own  reckoning.  For  others,  I  conceive  they  are  not  yet  fitted 
for  this  business."    Our  Fathers  were  of  this  sterling  Christian 

*  The  most  ancient  orthodox  Congregational  Church  in  New  England 
is  in  Windsor  of  this  State.  It  was  formed  in  the  beginning  of  1630,  in 
Plymouth,  England.  The  members  came  to  Dorchester,  Mass.;  and  in 
1636,  a  majority  of  them  began  the  settlement  of  Windsor. 


50  A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY 

stamp.  They  were  "godly  men."  A  hig-her  motive  than 
sordid  gain  moved  them  to  emigrate;  a  nobler  object  had 
their  ambition.  They  left  the  land  of  their  birth  for  conscience 
sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  Christ, — that  they  might  have  "free- 
dom to  worship  God,"  according  to  their  ideas  of  what  was 
scriptural,  and  most  edifying,  and  to  extend  the  boundaries  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  They  brought  with  them  the  blessed 
Bible,  a  cordial  attachment  to  it,  and  to  the  Sabbath,  and 
Christian  ordinances,  a  firm  regard  for  law  and  order,  and  a 
love  for  virtue ;  and  their  first  Pastor, — the  Rev.  Peter  Prud- 
den,  was  a  native  of  Edgerton,  Yorkshire.  He,  and  they, 
looked  to  God,  for  wisdom  to  project,  vigor  to  execute,  and 
fortitude  to  endure;  sought  His  favor  as  the  only  source  of 
well-being  and  well-doing,  acknowledged  their  success  or  fail- 
ure in  things  ecclesiastical  and  civil  to  be  suspended  on  His 
will  alone ;  did  what  they  did,  according  to  the  pattern  revealed 
to  them  by  intimate  communion  with  Him  in  prayer,  and 
through  the  medium  of  His  word,  arid  had  faith  in  His  gra- 
cious, powerful  Providence;  for  upon  their  banner  was 
inscribed  that  sentence  indicative  of  Puritan  trust  and  piety, 
"He  who  transplants  us,  sustains  us." 

The  First  Church  in  Milford  was  organized  before  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town,  for  it  was  organized  in  New  Haven;  and 
"the  seven  pillars"  upon  which  humanly  speaking  it  rested, 
they  standing  upon  the  only  sure  foundation,  "the  Rock  of 
Christ  Jesus,"  were  the  individuals  who,  specially  delegated 
for  that  purpose,  followed  the  devious  Indian  foot-path 
through  the  wilderness,  arrived  hither,  established  themselves 
in  this  locality,  and  fashioned  in  connection  with  kindred 
minds  their  civil  polity.  The  Church,  therefore,  underlay 
the  government  of  the  town — the  civil  system,  framed  it  by 
its  counsels,  sustained  it  by  its  influence,  and  infused  into  it 
some  portion  of  its  devotional  spirit. 

In  those  times  it  was  deemed  expedient  for  a  religious 
society  to  have  a  Teacher,  as  well  as  a  Pastor.  With  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Prudden  therefore,  was  associated  in  this  capacity, 
by   election.    Rev.    John    Sherman.      As    comparatively    little 


A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY  5 1 

notice  has  been  taken  of  him  in  the  "Church  Manual,"  it  is  fit, 
in  passing,  to  bestow  upon  him  a  few  paragraphs. 

The  prescribed  curriculum  of  study  at  Cambridge  Uni- 
versity, England,  he  regularly  pursued,  and  would  have 
received  the  degree  of  A.B.  in  course,  but  for  conscientious 
scruples  relative  to  acceding  to  the  terms  of  graduation.  He 
formed  one  band  of  emigrants  who  reached  America  in  1634, 
and  settled  in  Watertown,  Mass.  Coming  from  thence  with 
others  to  Milford,  he  was  called  to  be  Teacher  of  the  church 
here.  This  call  he  declined;  and  after  remaining  for  a 
season  in  this  vicinit)^  preaching  as  opportunity  offered,  "going 
about  doing  good,"  and  serving  the  public  as  a  member  of 
the  General  Court  for  the  jurisdiction,  he  returned  to  Water- 
town,  and  declining  an  invitation  from  a  church  in  Boston, 
and  two  churches  in  London,  became  pastor  of  the  church  in 
the  place  where  he  had  preached  his  first  sermon.  As  a  speaker 
his  elocution  was  remarkably  fine,  and  he  had  many  of  the 
graces  of  oratory.  He  was  also  fond  of  mathematics,  and 
astronomy,  and  was  a  rare  proficient  in  these  branches  of 
science.  He  supplied  the  astronomical  calculations  for  the 
first  Christian  Almanac  published  in  this  country.  His  second 
wife  was  granddaughter  of  the  earl  of  Rivers :  Governor 
Hopkins  was  her  appointed  guardian;  and  she  resided  under 
the  roof  of  Governor  Eaton. 

The  Psalmist  says,  "As  arrows  are  in  the  hand  of  a  mighty 
man,  so  are  children  of  the  youth.  Happy  is  the  man  that 
hath  his  quiver  full  of  them;  they  shall  not  be  ashamed,  but 
they  shall  speak  with  the  enemies  in  the  gate."  If  this  is 
true,  no  ordinaiy  measure  of  enjoyment  must  have  been  the 
portion  of  Mr.  Sherman.  Of  such  arrows  his  quiver  was  full; 
so  much  so  that  if  on  a  day  like  the  present,  when  the  lovely 
spectacle  is  exhibited  of  twenty-two  entire  States,  at  the  call 
of  their  Chief  Magistrates,  assembling  in  the  house  of  God; — 
a  day  when  far  scattered  birds  wing  again  their  way  to  the 
cherished  nests  of  childhood — when  sons  and  daughters  return 
from  their  dispersions  to  the  dear  old  homestead,  happy  in 
the  society  of  each  other,  and  in  that  of  their  venerated  parents, 


52  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

his  children  were  all  living,  and  came  back  to  receive  the  greet- 
ings of  a  father's  and  mother's  love  in  Watertown,  the  number 
of  ''olive-plants  round  about  the  table"  there  would  have 
been  twenty-six. 

Of  course  his  descendants  are  numerous.  Not  a  few  of 
those  persons  in  the  land,  who  bear  the  name  of  Sherman, 
are  of  the  same  lineage  with  him.  Such  was  the  case  with 
the  noted  Roger  Sherman,  once  apprenticed  to  a  shoemaker, 
who  came  to  this  town  carrying  his  tools  on  his  back ;  and 
was  a  member  of  the  first  Congress  in  1774;  continued  a 
member  nineteen  years;  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence in  1776; — was  designated  by  Jefferson,  as  "a  man  who 
never  said  a  foolish  thing  in  his  life,"  and  when  John  Ran- 
dolph of  Virginia  in  whose  veins  was  Indian  blood,  cried  out, 
in  his  shrill  piping  voice  for  the  purpose  of  insulting  him,  that 
he  "should  like  to  know  what  the  gentleman  from  Connecticut, 
when  he  left  the  cobbler's  bench  for  that  Hall,  did  with  his 
leather  apron;"  received  for  answer: — "Sir,  I  cut  it  up  to 
make  moccasins  for  the  descendants  of  Pocahontas!" 

Before  the  death  of  Rev.  John  Sherman,  which  occurred 
in  1685, — he  being  then  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age, 
there  was  a  man  in  the  commonwealth  prominent  for  his 
victories  over  the  savage  tribes  in  Springfield,  and  Hadley, 
Mass.,  distinguished  for  turning  the  tide  of  success  at  a 
critical  moment  in  that  Battle  of  "Bloody  Brook,"  when  the 
"Flower  of  Essex  bit  the  dust,"  as  also  for  his  intellectual 
gifts,  weight  of  influence,  and  official  position.  It  was  Gov- 
ernor Robert  Treat.  When  Sir  Edmond  Andross,  knight, 
and  captain-general,  and  Governor-general  over  New  England, 
came,  supported  by  his  suite,  and  more  than  sixty  of  the  King's 
troops,  to  Hartford,  during  the  session  of  the  Assembly,  and 
demanded  the  charter  granted  by  Charles  the  Second  to  the 
Connecticut  colony; — the  man  who  valiantly  and  ably  advo- 
cated the  resolution  not  to  give  up  the  patent,  and  privileges 
obtained  at  so  much  cost,  and  of  such  value;  and  the  man 
who  was  privy  to  extinguishing  the  lights,  the  carrying  off  of 
that  royal  instrument  of  liberty  and  secreting  it  in  the  large 


A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY  53 

hollow  oak,  was  this  Governor  Robert  Treat  ; — a  member 
of  the  Milford  Church,  and  who  married  a  daug'hter  of  one 
of  the  "seven  pillars,"  on  which  this  church  laid  its  founda- 
tion work,  and  was  one  of  the  three  appointed  by  the  church 
to  impose  hands  on  the  second  pastor  of  this  church — Rev. 
Roger  Newton,  on  the  occasion  of  his  installation,  August  22, 
1660. 

A  word  or  two  in  this  connection,  additional  to  what  has 
been  printed,  in  relation  to  the  fifth  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev. 
Samuel  Wales,  D.D. 

He  graduated  in  1667,  ^^^  ^^'^^  class  with  Gov.  John  Tread- 
well,  and  the  not  less  celebrated  Dr.  Nathaniel  Emmons.  He 
was  elected  to  the  Professorship  of  Divinity  in  Yale  College 
in  1 78 1.  The  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  he 
received  from  two  colleges ; — from  Yale  College,  his  Alma 
Mater  in  1782,  after  he  was  appointed  Professor,  and  from 
the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1784.  His  figure  was  short  and 
stout,  his  voice  was  heavy,  and  flexible,  was  under  good  man- 
agement, and  his  sermons  glowed  with  divine  truth  earnestly 
expressed.  After  being  engaged  several  years  in  the  duties 
of  his  professorship,  this  star  of  superior  brightness  and 
influence  in  the  orb  of  the  Church,  was  mysteriously  wrapped 
in  clouds.  He  was  deprived  of  his  reason,  and  the  College 
of  his  valuable  services.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-six,  leav- 
ing behind  him  the  character  of  a  man  of  superior  talents,  an 
accomplished  scholar,  and  an  eminent  divine.  The  discourse 
at  his  funeral  was  by  President  Stiles.  The  text  was  i  Samuel 
25:  I.  "And  Samuel  died:  and  all  the  Israelites  were  gath- 
ered together,  and  lamented  him.  and  buried  him  in  his  house 
at  Ramah."  This  text  was  announced  in  the  original  Hebrew, 
and  the  discourse  was  in  Latin. 

Dr.  Wales  has  a  son  living,  who  was  a  classmate  of  my 
father;  and  has  been  senator  of  the  United  States  from 
Delaware. 

Among  the  things  by  which  this  Church  has  been  char- 
acterized, are  a  disposition  to  be  at  peace  among  themselves, 
and  to  treat  with  due  consideration  and  respect  their  Pastors. 


54  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

This  declaration  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  since  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Church  in  1639,  it  has  had  but  nine  Pastors. 
This  makes  the  average  term  of  service  of  each  Pastor  but  a 
little  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  century; — which  manifestly  could 
not  have  been  the  case,  had  they  been  a  quarrelsome  people. 
None  of  these  Pastors  were  driven  away.  Five  were  "not 
allowed  to  continue  by  reason  of  death,"  and  their  ashes 
sleep  by  the  side  of  the  flock  they  tended,  in  sure  expectation 
with  them  of  a  joyful  resurrection.  Of  the  remaining  four, 
one  left  on  account  of  his  health;  two  were  called  away  to 
what  they  deemed  more  important  fields  of  service,  and  the 
other  having  occupied  the  pulpit  during  the  lapse  of  thirteen 
years,  mingles  his  congratulations  with  his  people  on  this  day 
of  Thanksgiving  and  Praise.  May  they  continue  to  heed  the 
counsel  sent  to  them  from  the  dying  lips  of  one  of  these  men 
of  God: — "Brethren,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and 
of  peace  shall  be  with  you :"  for  it  is  not  only  "good  for 
Christians  to  dwell  together  in  unity,"  but  likewise  "pleas- 
ant." "Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren 
to  dwell  together  in  unity!  It  is  like  the  precious  ointment 
upon  the  head,  that  ran  down  upon  the  beard,  even  in  Aaron's 
beard ;  that  went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments.  As  the 
dew  of  Hermon,  and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon  the 
mountains  of  Zion :  for  there  the  Lord  commanded  the  bless- 
ing, even  life  for  evermore." 

Leaving  now  the  Church  for  the  Town,  some  further 
items  may  be  noted. 

The  first  settlers  seem  to  have  duly  appreciated  the  value 
of  Education.  In  importance  they  placed  it  next  to  the 
Christian  religion.  With  growth  in  grace,  they  associated 
growth  in  knowledge.    Hence,  near  the  "Meeting-house"*  was 

*  The  model  of  the  worship  of  the  Christian  Church  was  obtained  from 
the  Jewish  Synagogue.  The  ancient  Puritanical  word  "Meeting-house"  is 
a  nearly  literal  translation  of  the  word  Synagogue  into  Saxon  English. 
And  Primitive  Congregationalists  preferred  the  word  "Meeting-house"  to 
the  word  "Church,"  not,  as  is  said,  because  of  their  excessive  antipathy 
to  Episcopacy,  but  because  by  King  James'  translators  the  word  Church 
was  used  to  denote  the  assembly  of  Christian  people,  whether  general  or 
particular. 


A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY  55 

erected  the  school-house,  and  while  liberal  provision  was  made 
for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  ample  provision  was  likewise 
made  for  the  instruction  of  the  young.  Not  only  were  there 
primary  schools,  but  as  early  as  1655,  si:?rteen  years  after  the 
settlement  of  the  town,  was  there  established  in  "the  wilder- 
ness and  solitary  place,"  a  Latin  school.  Records  show  that 
the  inhabitants  spared  no  pains  to  discipline  and  furnish  the 
minds  of  their  children,  by  engaging  teachers  of  scientific 
acquirements,  and  generously  remunerating  them  for  their 
labors.  Yale  College  is  as  much  indebted  to  Rev.  Samuel 
Andrew  of  this  town,  as  to  any  other  person,  excepting  the 
individual  after  whom  it  was  named — Elihu  Yale,  Esq.,  of 
New  Haven.  Mr.  Andrew  was  one  of  the  first  projectors  of 
the  College, — was  the  most  influential  of  the  ten  who  obtained 
a  charter  for  the  same  from  the  Legislature, — was  one  of 
the  original  trustees  of  the  Institution, — continued  to  hold 
this  trust  thirty-eight  years, — had  for  a  number  of  years  the 
tuition  of  the  senior  class  who  resided  in  the  town,  and  was 
for  a  time  the  College  Rector.  If,  as  a  community,  we  are 
now  behind  some  portions  of  the  state  in  our  zeal  for  learn- 
ing, if  our  views  on  this  subject  are  not  as  enlarged,  and  our 
efforts  as  well  directed  and  earnest  as  they  ought  to  be,  it  is 
not  because  of  the  example  of  our  fathers,  but  because  we 
have  another  spirit  from  that  which  they  manifested. 

The  first  colonists  of  Milford,  also,  were  not  deficient  as 
friends  of  popular  rights  and  as  patriots.  The  Protectorate 
of  Oliver  Cromwell  in  England  was  succeeded  by  the  restora- 
tion of  monarchy,  and  Charles  II.  was  placed  upon  the  throne. 
Soon  after  he  was  seated  there,  several  of  the  Judges  by 
whose  sentence  the  head  of  his  father,  Charles  I,  had  been 
brought  to  the  block,  were  condemned  and  executed.  Three 
others,  Whalley,  Goffe  and  Dixwell,  usually  denominated  the 
regicides,  came  to  New  England.  On  their  arrival  at  Boston 
they  were  welcomed,  and  at  Cambridge,  a  neighboring  town, 
they  lived  for  several  months  unmolested  and  respected.  It 
however  becoming  apparent,  through  intelligence  from  Par- 
liament, that  longer  continuance  there  would  be  unsafe,  they 


5^  A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY 

came  to  New  Haven.  Here  they  were  sheltered  in  the  house 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Davenport;  and  when  the  agents  of  the  king 
came  to  apprehend  them,  the  people  were  moved  to  stand  by 
them  through  the  influence  of  a  discourse  publicly  preached 
by  Mr.  Davenport  from  Isaiah  i6:  3,  4.  "Take  counsel,  exe- 
cute judgment,  make  thy  shadow  as  the  night  in  the  midst  of 
the  noon-day;  hide  the  outcasts,  bewray  not  him  that  wan- 
dereth.  Let  mine  outcasts  dwell  with  thee,  Moab;  be  thou 
a  covert  to  them  from  the  face  of  the  spoiler."  A  covert  was 
found  for  them.  It  was  a  cave  on  the  top  of  West  Rock,  and 
food  was  furnished  them  by  a  Mr.  Robert  Sperry  who  lived 
in  the  vicinity.  From  these  rude  quarters  they  subsequently 
repaired  to  another  refuge  called  "The  Lodge."  As,  how- 
ever, the  king's  agents  were  on  the  hunt  for  them,  and  as 
the  penalty  of  the  law  for  harboring  traitors  was  fearful,  the 
question  arose  where  next  they  could  go,  with  the  prospect 
of  finding  security.  The  views  and  feelings  of  the  people  of 
Milford  were  well  understood.  It  was  well  known  that  they 
had  no  sympathy  with  the  despotic  policy  of  Charles  I,  or 
respect  for  his  bigoted,  tyrannical  adviser  Laud,  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury;  that  they  had  a  fellow  feeling  for  those  who, 
sufferers  from  the  cruel  edicts  of  the  Star  Chamber  and  High 
Commission  Court,  had  risen  upon  and  subdued  their  oppres- 
sors ;  and  that  for  the  men  who  had  the  integrity  and  the 
courage  to  affix  their  signatures  to  the  death-warrant  of  a 
king  found  guilty  of  treason  against  his  nation,  they  had  a 
high  regard, — would  make  for  their  concealment  "a  shadow 
as  the  night  in  the  midst  of  the  noonday,"  and  would  not 
deliver  them  to  their  pursuers.  Hence,  on  the  20th  of  August, 
1 66 1,  Whalley  and  Gofife  fled  to  Milford.  And  not  in  vain. 
They  found  friends  here,  and  no  informants  against  them, 
and  continued  here  in  the  center  of  the  town  for  several  years. 
The  locality  of  their  concealment  is  still  pointed  out  as  a  spot 
of  interest,  though  the  building  in  which  they  were  hidden 
long  since  yielded  to  the  ravages  of  time.  It  was  thirty  or 
forty  rods  from  the  place  where  we  are  now  assembled,  and 
the  individual  who  owned  the  building  and  hid  the  Judges 


A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY  57 

was  ]\Hchael  Tomkins.  President  Stiles  sa3^s :  "I  have  fre- 
quently been  in  this  house  of  Tomkins.  It  was  standing-  since 
1750,  and  perhaps  to  1770.  It  was  a  buildinc^,  say  twenty 
feet  square,  and  two  stories ;  the  lower  room  built  with  stone 
wall  and  considered  as  a  store ;  the  room  over  it  with  timber 
and  wood,  and  used  by  Tomkins'  family  as  a  work  or  spinning 
room."  He  adds:  "The  family  used  to  spin  in  the  room 
above,  ignorant  of  the  Judges  being  below.  Judge  Bucking- 
ham tells  me  this  story :  'While  they  sojourned  at  Milford, 
there  came  over  from  England  a  ludicrous  cavalier  ballad, 
satirizing  Charles'  Judges,  and  Goffe  and  Whalley  among  the 
rest.  A  spinstress  at  Milford  had  learned  to  sing  it,  and  used 
sometimes  to  sing  it  in  the  chamber  over  the  Judges ;  and  the 
Judges  used  to  get  Tomkins  to  set  the  girls  to  singing  the 
song  for  their  diversion,  being  humored  and  pleased  with  it, 
though  at  their  own  expense,  as  they  were  the  subjects  of 
the  ridicule.  The  girls  knew  nothing  of  the  matter,  being 
ignorant  of  the  innocent  device,  and  little  thought  that  they 
were  serenading  angels.'  " 

Although  girls,  and  boys,  and  gossips  might  not  have  been 
aware  that  the  Judges  were  here,  the  fact  was  known  to  Gov. 
Treat  and  to  Rev.  Roger  Newton,  and  to  all  to  whom,  well 
acquainted  with  their  men,  they  chose  to  reveal  the  secret.  In 
a  grove  back  of  the  house  the  Judges  would  often  walk  when 
the  shades  of  night  prevailed,  talk  with  their  guardians  of 
Dunbar  and  Cromwell,  learn  the  drift  of  the  latest  dispatches 
from  Parliament,  and  the  latest  intelligence  from  the  profligate 
court  of  Charles  II ;  and  this  silence  with  reference  to  them, 
and  support  and  protection  of  them,  are  creditable  to  all  con- 
cerned, evincing  as  it  does  their  fidelity,  and  resolution,  and 
warm  attachment  to  the  sacred  principles  of  liberty. 

In  the  great  revolutionary  struggle  for  Independence,  this 
town  furnished  her  "full  quota  of  men  and  money."  Two 
companies  were  raised  here,  under  the  command  of  Captains 
Pond  and  Peck,  who  were  in  several  engagements,  and  whose 
officers  were  commended  by  Washington  for  their  promptness 
and  intrepidity;   tories  were  scarce,  and  were  obliged  to  keep 


So  '  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

concealed,  or  meet  the  humiliating  fate  of  McFingal, — a  vote 
was  passed  Dec.  14,  1778,  that  "no  person  or  persons,  what- 
ever, who  have  heretofore  voluntarily  gone  over  to  join  with, 
and  screened  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  enemies 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  who  shall  hereafter  go 
over,  join  with,  or  screen  themselves  under  said  enemy,  shall 
be  suffered  or  allowed  to  reside  or  dwell  in  this  town,  on  any 
pretense  whatever;"  and  when  on  the  ist  of  January,  1777, 
two  hundred  American  soldiers  in  a  need}^  diseased,  and 
perishing  condition  were  cast  here  from  a  British  cartel  ship, 
they  were  hospitably  received,  their  wants  supplied,  and,  above 
forty-six  of  them,  whom  physicians  and  kind  nursing  could 
not  save,  but  who  died,  and  were  laid  in  one  common  tomb, 
"ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust,"  there  now  rises  a  monument 
reared  in  part  by  the  liberality  of  the  people  of  the  town, 
bearing  the  names  of  the  unfortunate  soldiers,  and  honorable 
mention  of  their  heroic  sacrifices  for  freedom  and  their 
country. 

The  first  Mill  erected  in  New  Haven  colony  was  in  this 
town;  and  what  is  remarkable,  it  is  still  the  property  of  an 
individual  of  the  same  name  with  the  original  builder;  and 
never  since  its  erection  has  it  been  owned  by  a  person  of  any 
other  name. 

Though  a  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  since 
the  settlement  thereof,  have  been  farmers,  and  though  at 
present  while  we  have  factories  of  various  kinds,  there  is  here 
no  foreign  trade,  or  ship-building,  there  was  a  period  when 
these  industrial  pursuits  received  a  good  share  of  attention. 
From  a  wharf  near  to  the  mill  above  mentioned,  cattle  were 
shipped  to  the  West  Indies ; — an  active  commerce  was  carried 
on  with  them,  and  other  distant  points; — a  sloop  regularly 
plied  between  here  and  Boston;  New  Haven  people  depended 
upon  Milford  for  some  of  their  groceries;  sloops,  schooners, 
and  even  brigs  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  burden,  (the 
exact  tonnage  of  the  Mayflower)  were  launched  from  our 
dock-yards;  and  no  small  portion  of  commercial  enterprise 
and  wealth  here  flourished. 


A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY  59 

From  Mil  ford,  moreover,  have  gone  out  many,  who  have 
contributed  to  the  settlement  of  other  towns.  It  is  a  prolific 
hive  from  which  swarm  after  swarm  have  departed.  Besides 
Newtown,  Greenwich,  New  Milford,  and  Durham  of  this 
State,  who  are  largely  indebted  to  us  in  this  particular;  Wil- 
liamstown,  Mass.,  Newark,*  and  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey; 
and  Talmadge,  Ohio,  can  trace  their  beginnings  to  our  colo- 
nists, of  whom  they  have  no  occasion  to  be  ashamed,  and  are 
not  ashamed,  and  who  thus  "laid  the  foundations  of  many 
generations" — the  foundations  of  their  strength  and  glory. 

But  it  is  time  that  I  close  this  Leaf  of  Milford  History; 
particularly  as  I  have  read  from  it  so  much  which  before  may 
have  been  known  to  some  of  you.  A  few  reflections  then, 
from  a  review  of  the  same,  and  I  have  done. 

The  subject  has  carried  us  back  to  former  generations. 
In  remembering  as  we  have,  "the  days  of  old,"  "the  years 
of  ancient  times,"  we  have  remembered  the  departed.  Once 
they  were  here,  walked  these  streets,  dwelt  here,  toiled  here, 
had  the  interests  of  the  church  and  the  town  in  their  charge, 
had  their  afflictions  and  their  blessings,  their  joys,  and  their 
sorrows.  They  then  knew  nothing  about  us,  for  we  were  not 
in  existence,  and  what  we  know  of  them,  we  learn  from 
records  less  perishable  than  they  were.  The  same  azure  that 
now  bends  over  us,  swelled  over  them.  The  same  sun  that 
lights  us  to-day,  gladdened  them  with  its  beams.  The  same 
moon  that  now  rides  in  the  sky  cast  upon  them  her-  silver  rays. 
The  same  stars  that  sparkle  over  our  houses,  sparkled  over 
their  log  cabins.  And  the  acres  they  subdued,  some  of  the 
trees  they  planted,  and  the  springs  from  which  they  slaked 
their  thirst,  still  remain.  Their  days  of  Thanksgiving  too, 
and  their  days  of  Fasting  have  descended  to  us.  But  they 
themselves  have  passed  away.  Their  bodies  sleep  in  yonder 
ancient  graveyard,  which  is  thick  sown  with  the  precious 
seed  of  the  resurrection,  and  the  moss  has  gathered  on  their 
head  stones ! 

We  remember  those  who  though  they  have  disappeared  from 
human  view,  and  "rest  from  their  labors,"  are  yet  resident 
*  Originally  called  Milford. 


6o  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

elsewhere.  Though  they  have  gone  from  earth,  and  "the  places 
which  once  knew  them,  know  them  no  more,"  they  are  not 
annihilated,  nor  in  a  state  of  dreamy  unconsciousness,  but  are 
sentient  and  active  in  some  part  of  the  universe  of  God. 

We  remember  those  who,  while  they  lived  here,  were  pro- 
bationers for  eternity,  and  now  have  assigned  them  a  place 
and  state,  and  possess  a  character,  the  exact  resultant  of  their 
views,  feelings,  and  conduct  then.  The  character  imprinted 
in  time,  is  stereotyped  in  eternity.  If  they  were  righteous 
then,  they  are  righteous  now, — if  then  they  embraced  and 
served  Christ,  they  are  now  "with  Him  where  He  is,  behold- 
ing His  glory;"  and  if  any  unjustifiably  and  foolishly  rejected 
Him,  and  otherwise  abused  their  probation,  they  now  suffer 
the  consequences  of  such  abuse. 

One  of  the  most  memorable  paintings  by  eminent  artists 
is  that  of  "The  Head  of  Medusa  held  up  by  Perseus."  The 
head  is  represented  as  changing  into  stone  every  individual 
who  beholds  it.  A  warrior  stands  looking  at  it,  and  he  with 
the  javelin  in  his  hand  are  petrified.  An  assassin  is  there  with 
a  dagger  half  hidden  under  his  garment,  and  he  too  with  his 
weapon  are  frozen  into  stone.  Another  and  another  person 
are  portrayed  as  looking,  and  each  one — just  as  he  is  when  he 
catches  sight  of  the  head — is  stiffened  into  stone. 

There  is  a  moral  in  this  famous  picture.  That  head 
stands  for  Death.  As  we  are  when  we  meet  death,  so  as  moral 
creatures  shall  we  always  be.  Death,  though  it  lodges  the  body 
in  the  grave  and  makes  it  the  food  of  worms,  works  no 
essential  change  in  the  soul,  any  more  than  the  opening  of  the 
door  of  a  cage  where  a  bird  is  confined,  alters  the  nature  or 
the  color  of  the  bird.  The  bird  is  the  same  bird  while  upon 
the  wing  as  while  a  prisoner,  and  the  soul  is  the  same  soul 
dismissed  from  its  tabernacle,  as  when  restrained  in  it. 
Death  stamps  upon  us  an  unchangeable,  ineffaceable  impress. 
As  it  finds  us,  so  will  the  judgment  find  us,  and  the  ever- 
during  cycles  of  eternity. 

We  remember  those  whose  influence  lives  after  them,  and 
by  whose  sayings  and  doings  we  are  now  affected.     The  influ- 


A  LEAF  OF  MILFORD  HISTORY  6 1 

ence  of  brave  and  enterprising  minds  does  not  expire  with  the 
physical  forms  in  which  they  acted.  In  some  cases  the  agencies 
which  they  set  in  motion  are  more  potent  after  these  forms 
have  crumbled  into  dust,  than  when  they  were  animated  with 
Hfe.  The  spirit  of  Napoleon  the  Great  still  rules  France.  The 
Order  of  Loyola  is  yet  vigorous  from  the  energy  which  he 
infused  into  it.  The  persistent  sympathy,  and  fervent  elo- 
quence of  Wilberforce,  still  prompt  to  manly  battling  with 
individual  and  national  wrong;  and  the  name  of  many  a 
controlling  pioneer  and  leader  is  an  incentive  and  spur  to 
gallant  actions.  Indeed,  "Thou  canst  not  live  for  thyself 
alone,"  is  written  upon  every  human  being.  All  persons  have 
an  influence,  and  this  influence  dies  not  with  them.  It  moves 
on  over  the  grave,  and  reaches  posterity.  A  very  different 
community  should  we  have  been  from  what  we  now  are,  if 
the  first  colonists,  and  their  successors,  had  been  addicted  to 
idleness,  vulgarity,  and  intemperance ;  or  had  not  prized  the 
Bible,  scrupulously  observed  the  Sabbath,  been  devout  wor- 
shippers of  God  in  His  temple,  maintained  family  prayer,  and 
furthered  the  interests  of  education.  Our  churches,  our 
schools,  our  civil  and  social  condition,  our  respect  for  law  and 
order,  our  opposition  to  infidelity,  profaneness,  Sabbath  break- 
ing, and  rowdyism,  are  the  fruit  of  their  sound  principles  and 
virtues ;  and  shame  to  the  individual  who  amidst  the  memorials 
of  his  worthy  sires,  and  blest  with  the  results  of  their  excel- 
lences, is  not  a  friend  to  industry,  sobriety,  purity,  liberty,  and 
godliness. 

Finally,  we  are  reminded  that  ere  the  sun  runs  through  many 
circles  of  the  heavenly  signs,  we  shall  be  numbered  among 
the  departed,  and  "though  dead  be  yet  speaking,"  and  im- 
mortal be  living  elsewhere,  and  reaping  the  consequences  of 
our  present  right,  or  wrong  doing. 

Let  us  remember  this,  and  think,  feel  and  deport  ourselves 
accordingly.  If  that  glow  of  patriotic  ardor  is  in  our  breasts 
which  should  be  there,  and  which  impelled  the  poet  to  wish, 

"That  he  for  poor  auld  Scotland's  sake, 
Some  usefu'  plan  or  book  could  make, 
Or  sing  a  song  at  least;" 


62  A    LEAF    OF    MILFORD    HISTORY 

we  shall  be  constrained  while  we  enjoy,  to  guard  also  the 
heritage  of  blessings  which  have  come  into  our  possession, 
and  to  transmit  them  in  their  fullness  and  richness  to  those 
who  shall  come  after  us.  And  if  we  cherish  as  we  should,  the 
conviction  that  our  everlasting  future  takes  its  unalterable 
complexion  from  the  brief  present,  we  shall  endeavor  "so  to 
pass  through  things  temporal,  that  we  may  not  fail  of  things 
eternal." 

What  we  honor  in  our  Fathers,  that  let  us  imitate;  and 
those  laudable  courses  of  action  which  they  pursued,  and  which 
have  brought  so  much  good  to  us,  let  us  ourselves  adopt,  for 
the  benefit  of  succeeding  generations.  Copying  after  the  Old 
Puritans,  we  shall  not  make  any  very  serious  mistakes  in  sen- 
timent, or  go  far  astray  in  conduct,  and  shall  build  up  robust, 
magnanimous,  heroic  Christian  characters.  May  their  faith 
be  followed,  their  principles  and  institutions  be  cherished,  and 
their  self-denying  spirit  and  virtues  be  manifested  by  us,  our 
descendants,  and  the  sons  of  New  England, 

"Till  the  waves  of  the  bay  where  the  Mayflower  lay, 
Shall  foam  and  freeze  no  more." 


vi  ^-a-  FORTY  SHILLIiNGS.^^# 

5f '■^T^H  E  P O S S E S S O R of  t%h  'M 
^J^  X    BILL>  Ihall  be  paid  by  the  'm 
'|Tr?afurer  of  thtf  Colony  oi'  Onne^i^ 

\:^meyp  by  the; 


glil  Bay  ofi?/-! 

*779-     .    .    . 
By   Or4er  of 

I  AssEMBi.y»« 

Hartpord,- 


Continental  Cl'krencv,  Revolutionary  Period 

Original  preserved  in  an  old  family  bible  of  an  ancestor  of  that  period 
and  now  in  the  possession  of  the  author. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MILFORD 
DURING  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 

PRIZE  ESSAY* 

By  Mabel  Whitman  Mahoney 

read  at  the 
Graduating  Exercises  of  the  Milford  High  School 

June  17,  1913 

"My  thoughts  go  up  the  long  dim  path  of  years, 
Back  to  the  earliest  days  of  Liberty." 

Milford,  settled  in  the  year  1639,  had  been  steadily  grow- 
ing until,  in  1775,  it  presented  a  very  prosperous  appearance. 
The  long,  green  common,  the  two  libraries,  the  white  Con- 
gregational meeting-houses  and  brown-stone  Episcopal  Church, 
the  Town-House  and  the  Academy  were,  many  of  them,  sit- 
uated much  the  same  as  we  see  them  to-day.  The  people 
lived  simply  and  contentedly;  the  women  doing  the  house- 
work and  spinning,  the  men  working  on  their  farms  or  other- 
wise busying  themselves.  We  are  told  that  ship-building  was 
a  leading  industry  in  Milford  at  this  time,  and  also  that  many 
of  the  men  followed  the  sea.  The  town  meetings  brought 
the  men  together  in  a  social  way,  and  the  housewives  gathered 
at  the  quilting  bees  and  sewing  circles  to  talk  over  the  neigh- 
borhood gossip.  Altogether,  the  town  of  Milford  presented 
the  peaceful  appearance  of  a  typical  New  England  village  of 
this  period,  but  the  war  clouds  were  gathering. 

*The  writer  of  this  essay  received  a  Bronze  Medal  of  the  National 
Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  offered  by  the  Connect- 
icut Society,  for  the  encouragement  in  public  schools  of  the  study  of 
local  American  History  during  the  "struggle  for  liberty." 

Ten  dollars  in  gold  v^^as  also  offered  by  George  Hare  Ford  as  a  special 
prize  for  the  best  essay  upon  the  subject  of  "Milford  during  the  American 
Revolution." 

The  following  committee  were  chosen  by  the  donor  to  select  the  best 
essay : — 

Hon.  George  M.  Gunn,  Rev.  Peter  McClean  and  Mr.  Simeon  J.  Lake. 


64  MILFORD   DURING   THE    REVOLUTION 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  the  inhabitants 
were  unanimously  opposed  to  the  oppressive  measures  of  the 
British.  A  very  enthusiastic  town  meeting  was  held  on  the 
29th  of  November,  1774.  The  people  at  this  meeting 
"resolved  that  they  highly  approved  of  and  would  strictly 
abide  by  the  Delegates  assembled  in  General  Continental 
Congress."  A  committee  of  correspondence  of  seven  persons 
was  also  appointed.  At  this  meeting  it  was  "unanimously 
resolved  that  a  subscription  should  be  forthwith  opened  for 
the  relief  and  support  of  such  poor  inhabitants  of  Boston  as 
were  immediate  sufferers  by  the  Boston  Port  Bill  and  a 
committee  of  twelve  persons  was  appointed  to  receive  dona- 
tions and  contributions  for  that  purpose.  These  decisive 
measures  show  how  intensely  patriotic  the  early  Milfordites 
were. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  May  i,  1775,  it  was  "voted  that 
the  great  guns  be  mounted,"  and  the  selectmen  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  see  that  this  was  done.  Also  the  selectmen 
were  to  provide  powder  and  everything  needful  respecting  the 
great  guns  at  the  expense  of  the  town,  and  they  were  to  pro- 
vide guns,  bayonets,  and  provisions  for  such  as  were  called 
forth  for  the  defense  of  liberty,  and  were  unable  to  provide 
for  themselves.  A  minute  post  was  established  at  the  town's 
expense  to  be  continued  for  one  week  under  Capt.  Isaac  Miles, 
and  the  next  week  it  was  voted  to  continue  this  minute  post 
for  a  longer  period.  John  Fowler,  Esq.,  and  Ephraim  Strong, 
Esq.,  were  to  "represent  the  town  to  the  General  Assembly 
and  petition  for  liberty  to  have  a  company  enlisted  and  com- 
missioned to  be  stationed  in  town  for  its  defense,  and  at  the 
expense  of  the  Colony."  It  was  also  voted  to  allow  some 
gratuity  to  those  who  had  formed  themselves  into  a  company 
under  the  command  of  John  Fowler,  Jr.,  and  had  spent  vol- 
untarily much  time  in  acquainting  themselves  with  the  military 
art. 

Capt.  Samuel  Peck  commanded  the  first  Milford  company 
raised  for  the  general  defense  of  the  country.  A  little  later, 
a   company   was   raised   under   Captain   Pond.      These   com- 


MILFORD    DURING   THE    REVOLUTION  65 

panics  were  in  several  engagements  and  the  officers  were 
commended  by  Washington  for  their  promptness  and  intre- 
pidity. The  names  of  the  soldiers  are  too  numerous  to 
mention,  but  we  have  sufficient  records  to  show  that  they  did 
their  duty  nobly  and  bravely.  One  of  the  men,  Capt.  Peter 
Perritt,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Washington;  another 
story  says  that  when  Israel  Putnam  rode  down  the  dangerous 
steps  at  Horse  Neck  to  escape  some  British  soldiers,  three 
men  rode  with  him — one  of  those  being  Jehiel  Stow,  one  of 
the  four  sons  of  Stephen  Stow. 

On  Monday,  Oct.  9,  1775,  Maj.  Ennion  Williams  passed 
through  Mil  ford  on  his  journey  to  the  American  Camp  at 
Cambridge.  He  says  in  his  journal :  "We  passed  through 
Stratford  which  is  a  pretty  little  town  near  the  river  Housa- 
tonack.  We  crossed  the  Ferry  in  a  large  boat  built  in  the 
manner  of  our  long  boats.  The  Sound  here  is  so  wide 
that  the  view  is  bounded  by  water  and  sky.  We  arrived  a 
little  after  sunset.  At  Milford,  we  see  by  candlelight  the 
inside  of  a  church,  a  frame  building  with  two  stories  of  gal- 
leries, is  a  large  house.  There  is  two  other  meeting-houses 
near  as  large,  and  are  generally  filled.  The  people  are  gen- 
erally ready  to  arm  and  march  whenever  ordered  to  support 
their  liberty.  Pursued  our  way  and  passed  over  Oyster  River 
and  through  West  Haven." 

Meanwhile,  the  people  of  Milford  were  preparing  for  the 
conflict.  At  a  town  meeting  held  Feb.  22,  1776,  it  was  "voted 
that  whereas  at  a  time  when  our  Sea  Coasts  are  threatened 
with  invasion  by  our  enemies,  a  misuse  of  Powder  may  prove 
very  prejudicial  not  only  to  the  publick  in  general,  but  to  the 
Town,  therefore  resolved  that  no  persons  or  person  whatever, 
shall  by  sporting  or  Fowling  fire  away  any  of  that  necessary 
article,  within  the  limits  of  s.  Town,  upon  Penalty  of  one 
pound  lawful  money  for  every  offence."  On  March  27th,  it 
was  voted  to  accept  the  grant  of  the  assembly  with  regard 
to  fortifying  the  harbor,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
agree  upon  a  place  suitable  to  erect  fortifications  upon.  Later 
it  was  decided  to  place  the  battery  on  West  Point,  and  the 
money  for  the  fortification  was  raised  by  a  tax. 


66  MILFORD   DURING   THE    REVOLUTION 

For  further  protection,  companies  of  soldiers  were  stationed 
at  Burwell's  Farm  and  Poconoc  Point.  The  battery  at  West 
Point  or  Fort  Trumbull  was  situated  about  where  the  summer 
home  of  Colonel  Falls  now  stands.  Many  a  night  the  people 
were  awakened  by  the  clanging  of  the  bell  of  the  fort,  to  call 
the  men  of  the  village  to  arms,  for  a  ship  had  been  sighted 
which  might  prove  to  be  one  of  the  enemies',  making  ready 
for  an  attack. 

On  December  31,  1776,  shortly  before  night,  there  appeared 
off  the  harbor  of  Mil  ford  a  British  vessel  carrying  at  her 
fore-top  a  flag  of  truce.  Darkness  increasing,  she  was  not 
again  seen.  Near  the  beach  was  the  home  of  Capt.  Isaac  Miles, 
an  earnest  patriot,  who  with  his  sons,  sitting  before  his  fire, 
heard  unusual  noises.  Opening  his  door,  he  found  the  yard 
filled  with  wild,  forlorn  looking  creatures  in  a  most  deplorable 
condition,  suffering  for  want  of  food  and  clothing.  On  that 
bitter  winter  night  they  had  been  turned  ashore  and  left  to 
shift  for  themselves.  The  sympathies  of  the  Miles  family 
and  neighbors  sheltered  these  two-hundred  released  American 
prisoners  for  the  night.  In  a  day  or  two  they  were  removed 
to  the  town-hall,  which  was  prepared  for  them.  In  this  build- 
ing, which  is  still  standing,  the  work  of  Death  at  once  com- 
menced among  the  unfortunate  men,  who  stricken  with  fever, 
were  so  reduced  in  strength  that  they  easily  fell  victims  to  its 
virulence.  Here  it  was  that  the  heroic  work  of  Stephen  Stow 
was  done.  Day  and  night,  his  sole  occupation  was  to  minister 
to  the  sick  and  dying,  and  to  take  increasing,  constant  care 
of  these  men,  until,  becoming  physically  exhausted,  he  con- 
tracted the  fever  and  died.  His  work  of  kindness  and  self- 
sacrifice  has  justly  given  him  the  name  of  Mil  ford's  Martyr. 

These  soldiers,  forty-six  in  number,  were  buried  in  a  com- 
mon grave  near  the  south  corner  of  the  graveyard.  In  1852, 
a  monument  was  erected  in  their  memory,  "by  the  joint  liber- 
ality of  the  General  Assembly,  the  people  of  Milford,  and 
other  contributing  friends."  The  names  of  the  soldiers  are 
inscribed  on  the  monument,  and  because  of  the  devotion  of 
Stephen  Stow  to  his  country  and  to  humanity,    "the  Legisla- 


MILFORD   DURING   THE    REVOLUTION  6/ 

ture  of  Connecticut  resolved  that  his  name  should  be  inscribed 
on  this  monument." 

So  the  year  1777  brought  in  sickness  and  death.  The  people 
of  Milford  were  having  their  share  of  the  miseries  of  the 
war,  although  no  real  fighting  had  taken  place  in  their  locality. 
The  town  meetings  chronicle  the  events  in  an  interesting 
manner.  We  find  that  on  February  17th,  it  was  voted  that 
the  selectmen  be  a  committee  to  provide  for  the  soldiers' 
families.  It  was  also  agreed  that  the  town  would  give  ten 
pounds  a  head  for  all  those  who  would  enlist  for  three  years 
or  for  the  war.  The  number  required  of  the  town  that  year, 
by  the  governor's  proclamation,  was  seventy-two. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  Wepawaug  stands  a  substantial 
house  painted  red.  In  the  time  of  the  Revolution  it  was  owned 
by  Captain  Bryan  who  had  been  commissioned  a  first  lieu- 
tenant in  the  army,  had  served  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains 
and  other  engagements  with  the  enemy,  and  who  was  now  on 
patrol  duty  in  the  town.  Captain  Bryan  and  Orlando  Beach 
were  in  charge  of  the  coast  to  watch  for  tory  raids  from 
Long  Island.  A  British  officer  on  Long  Island  thought  it 
would  be  a  fine  thing  to  capture  Captain  Bryan  and  carry  him 
off  to  the  British  ships  which  lay  off  the  coast.  Captain  Bryan 
was  prepared  for  the  attack,  however,  and  gave  the  officer 
an  uncomfortable  reception.  Without  waiting  to  capture  the 
brave  Captain,  the  officer  turned  and  fled  with  his  men,  drop- 
ping his  sword  in  his  hurry.  Captain  Bryan  kept  the  sword, 
and  it  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  B.  D.  Merriman,  one 
of  his  descendants. 

In  September,  the  selectmen  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
provide  clothing  for  the  Continental  Soldiers.  In  December, 
it  was  voted  to  provide  for  the  soldiers'  families,  and  to 
recompense  the  soldiers  who  had  enlisted  previous  to  the  town 
vote,  giving  ten  pounds  for  an  encouragement. 

During  those  stirring  times  all  was  not  confusion  and  war- 
fare. Tradition  has  it  that  Mistress  Freelove  Stow,  widow 
of  Stephen  Stow,  had  a  chest  of  tea  in  her  cellar.  Tea,  being 
a  very  scarce  beverage  at  this  time,  was  treasured  highly  by 


68 


MILFORD   DURING   THE    REVOLUTION 


those  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  possess  it  and  Mistress 
Stow  decided  to  share  her  good  fortune  with  the  other  good 
housewives  of  the  village.  Once  a  week,  at  unseasonable 
hours,  the  housewives  might  be  seen  stealing  into  Mistress 
Stow's  cellar,  where  they  indulged  in  a  cup  of  good  old  English 
tea. 

In  January,  1778,  "the  articles  of  confederation  of  the  United 
States,  sent  by  the  governor,  being  read,  it  was  voted  by  the 
town  that  they  fully  approved  of  said  articles."  On  the  14th  of 
December,  it  was  voted  "that  no  person  or  persons  whatever 
who  have  heretofore  voluntarily  gone  over  to  join  with,  and 
screened  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  enemies  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  or  who  shall  hereafter  go  over, 
join  with,  or  screen  themselves  under  said  enemy,  shall  be 
suffered  or  allowed  to  reside  or  dwell  in  this  town,  on  any 
pretense  whatever."  Tories  were  compelled  to  keep  close  to 
their  houses.  There  is  a  tradition  that  a  certain  Mil  ford 
brook  received  its  name  at  this  time  from  the  people  who 
lived  near  it,  and  has  ever  afterward  been  called  "Tory 
Brook." 

In  1779,  the  British  burned  Fairfield.  At  this  time  much 
uneasiness  was  felt  among  the  people,  for  the  whole  western 
sky  glowed  a  brilliant  red  for  a  number  of  nights,  reminding 
our  own  villagers  that  at  any  hour  such  a  fate  might  be  theirs. 
Many  of  the  people,  especially  the  women  and  children,  left 
the  town,  seeking  refuge  with  relatives  or  friends  away  from 
the  coast. 

Indeed,  Milford  might  have  met  the  same  fate  as  Fairfield. 
In  a  letter  written  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Major-General 
Tyron,  July  2,  1779,  these  directions  are  given:  "Once  in 
possession  of  the  Black  Rock  Battery  near  Bridgeport,  at  the 
head  of  the  harbor,  all  becomes  easy  and  you  can  always  retire 
by  Fair  Weather  Island,  which  has  deep  water  on  the  south 
side,  but  not  above  six-foot  within.  You  may  likewise  land 
at  Stratford  Point,  drive  the  cattle  of  that  district  and  embark 
them  from  thence  at  your  leisure  from  Charles  Island,  Milford. 
You  may  do  the  same  with  those  you  find  at  Milford." 


MILFORD   DURING   THE    REVOLUTION  69 

But  the  Mil  ford  cattle  would  not  have  been  very  easily 
found.  At  Pond  Point,  there  was  a  meadow  sheltered  by 
rising  ground  and  overhanging  trees.  This  place,  Calf-Pen 
meadow,  was  the  resort  of  Mil  ford  cattle.  The  cattle  were 
driven  here,  a  strong  guard  placed  over  the  meadow,  and 
safety  assured. 

In  1779,  twenty  transport  ships  lay  off  against  the  town 
for  a  number  of  days,  occasioning  constant  alarm,  for  the 
people  hourly  expected  an  attack.  But  only  a  few  soldiers 
landed  at  Pond  Point.  A  serving  maid,  seeing  the  red-coats 
coming  in  a  small  boat,  gave  the  alarm.  Consternation 
reigned,  for  the  men  were  away.  But  a  plucky  young  woman, 
a  Mistress  Merwin,  seized  her  copper  kettle  and  rolling  pin, 
took  her  baby,  and  drove  with  great  haste  to  Mil  ford  center. 
As  soon  as  she  reached  the  first  house  she  gave  the  alarm  by 
beating  upon  the  kettle  with  the  rolling  pin.  So  all  through 
the  principal  streets  she  rode,  giving  her  unique  alarm.  By 
the  time  relief  could  be  summoned,  the  few  British  soldiers 
had  left.  One  house  was  plundered,  that  of  Mr.  Miles 
Merwin. 

In  July,  1780,  more  money  was  offered  by  the  town  to  those 
who  would  enlist.  War  taxes  were  levied,  "payable  in  money 
or  provisions,  to  be  put  up  for  the  use  of  the  state."  In  Octo- 
ber, 1 78 1,  Cornwallis  surrendered,  and  the  war  was  ended. 

In  all  accounts  we  find  these  eloquent  words :  "Milford 
furnished  her  full  quota  of  men  and  money."  There  were  no 
attacks  made,  no  battles  fought  here.  All  her  patriots  received 
their  wounds  on  the  battle  fields,  yet  the  men  who  stayed  at 
home  to  guard  the  town  were  just  as  patriotic  and  served  their 
country  just  as  truly  as  did  those  who  won  distinction  under 
great  generals.  The  story  of  "The  Town  of  Mil  ford  During 
the  American  Revolution,"  is  simply  an  account  of  the  daily 
fulfillment  of  duties  which  may  seem  insignificant  when  con- 
trasted with  the  deeds  on  the  battle  fields ;  yet  let  us  remember 
that  just  such  towns  as  Milford  made  brave  armies  possible; 
they  furnished  the  money  and  men. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS    DELIVERED    UPON    THE 

UNVEILING  OF  THE  MEMORIAL  FOUNTAIN 

AT  MILFORD  AUGUST  27,  1910 

By  George  Hare  Ford 

Officers  and  Members  of  the  Village  Improvement  Associa- 
tion,  Selectmen   and   Officers   of   the   Tozvn   of  Milford, 
Citizens,  Guests,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 
I  presume  I  may  be  permitted  to  indulge  in  a  few  words 
of  personal  explanation.     Some  time  ago  I  received  a  circular 
letter  announcing  the  organization  of  your  Village  Improve- 
ment Association,  and  inviting  me  to  become  interested  as  a 
member  and  contributor.     Having  for  some  time  been  im- 
pressed  with   the   thought    of    furnishing   the    town   with   a 
memorial  fountain  for  its  beautiful  green,  and  of  providing 
for  its  erection,  it  occurred  to  me  that  if  an  organized  effort 
was  being  made  for  improving  and  beautifying  the  town,  why 
not  assist  in  this  way  nozv  instead  of  later. 

The  idea  resulted  in  correspondence  with  your  secretary, 
and  met  with  the  approval  of  the  Village  Improvement 
Association  and  the  authorities  of  the  town,  and  was  endorsed 
by  the  people  at  a  town  meeting.  And  let  me  say  that  to  the 
energetic  officers  and  loyal  members  ot  your  Village  Improve- 
ment Association,  high  credit  and  honor  are  due  for  the 
interest  they  have  created  in  town  improvements,  and  the 
benefits  they  have  effected  by  their  efficient  work,  with  the 
cooperation  of  your  town  officials,  and  they  well  merit  the 
thanks  of  all. 

And  now  let  me  add  that  few  American  towns,  if  any,  are 
as  rich  in  history  and  memorials  as  this  beautiful  old  town 
of  Milford.  Represented  first  by  your  stone  bridge,  the  most 
unique  historical  memorial  of  its  character  in  the  country,  I 
cannot  pass  here  without  referring  to  that  dear  old  citizen,  the 
late  Nathan  G.  Pond,  the  moving  spirit  who  conceived  the 
idea  of  this  memorial,  and  did  so  much  with  your  assistance 


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HISTORICAL   ADDRESS  /I 

towards  erecting  this  artistic  structure  in  memory  of  the 
founders  of  the  town.  Many  of  you  will  recall  his  lovable 
character,  his  unselfish  interest  in  the  town  and  its  people, 
and  his  study  of  and  wonderful  familiarity  with  old  New 
England  ancestry. 

Then  we  have  here  also  the  Taylor  Memorial  Library,  the 
gift  of  the  generous  and  esteemed  citizen,  the  late  Henry  A. 
Taylor;  the  church  at  yonder  corner,  a  gift  of  his  children,  as 
a  memorial  to  their  mother;  and  Wilcox  park,  a  gift  to  the 
town,  from  your  liberal  fellow  townsman,  Clark  Wilcox. 

The  Chapter  House  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution  made  possible  by  the  generous  contribution  of 
Mary  Hepburn  Smith. 

Nearly  three  centuries  have  passed  since  our  ancestors 
selected  this  location  for  their  future  home.  On  an  occasion 
like  this,  mid  the  mad  whirl  of  this  twentieth  century  of 
steam,  electricity,  motor  cars,  and  air  ships,  it  may  not  be 
inappropriate  or  uninteresting  to  pause  for  a  moment  and 
reflect  "whence  came  all  this"  and  who  made  it  possible,  and 
in  doing  so  to  recall  some  of  the  men  and  incidents  associated 
with  the  event,  and  the  founders  of  the  old  New  England 
towns. 

This  thought  will  readily  take  your  mental  vision  across  the 
ocean  to  England,  and  impress  you  with  the  valor  and  courage 
of  those  two  thousand  Puritans,  who  between  1620  and  1639, 
following  their  convictions,  left  their  homes  confident  of 
enlarging  their  liberties  and  their  fortunes  in  the  new  world. 
And  well  may  Americans  of  the  present  day,  scattered  the 
country  over,  be  eager  and  proud  as  they  are,  to  trace  their 
ancestry  back  to  the  early  settlers  of  New  England. 

The  Plymouth  people  had  established  their  settlement. 
Then  came  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony,  under  Winthrop, 
a  company  of  distinguished  men  of  wealth,  well  organized  in 
the  other  country  for  the  purpose  of  commercial  pursuits,  and 
protected  by  a  liberal  patent  granted  under  the  great  seal  of 
England  by  Charles  I,  and  they  were  engaged  in  the  founding 
of  prosperous  towns  adjacent  to  Boston. 


72  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS 

Captivated  by  the  meadow  lands,  the  natural  scenery,  the 
water  facilities  and  the  commanding  ridges,  settlements  soon 
began  in  Connecticut.  Windsor  1633,  Wethersfield  and  Say- 
brook  1635,  Hartford  1636,  New  Haven  1638.  The  year 
1639  seems  to  have  been  a  propitious  year  for  the  founding 
of  new  towns.  From  eight  to  ten  families  located  at  Fairfield, 
ten  at  Stratford,  forty  at  Guilford  and  fifty-four  heads  of 
families  (estimated  by  Lambert  as  containing  200  people), 
located  on  the  banks  of  the  "Wepowage,"  a  name  which 
translated  from  the  Indian  implies  "the  crossing,  or  place 
of  the  narrow  pass." 

Most  of  these  founders  came  from  the  counties  of  Essex, 
Hereford  and  York.  Many  came  with  the  Davenport-Eaton 
company  and  first  appeared  in  New  Haven.  Peter  Prudden 
had  preached  to  them  in  the  old  country  and  at  Wethersfield, 
and  after  his  arrival  here  a  number  from  that  place  followed 
him  to  the  new  settlement.  It  is  said  they  were  more  liberal 
in  their  views  than  the  New  Haven  colony,  hence  they  declined 
to  participate  in  the  New  Haven  caucus  at  the  Newman  barn 
when  the  famous  "plantation  covenant"  was  adopted  by  that 
company. 

We  will  now  picture  them  under  the  leadership  of  Capt. 
Thomas  Tibbals  (a  direct  ancestor  on  my  maternal  side).  He 
had  served  under  Commander  John  Mason  in  the  Pequot 
War,  and  had  traversed  the  country  between  Mystic  and  Fair- 
field, and  being  impressed  with  the  advantages  of  this  situa- 
tion, he  was  commissioned  to  lead  the  new  colony  through  the 
wilderness  to  this  selected  spot.  They  followed  the  Indian 
path  along  the  shore  on  horseback  and  on  foot,  with  their 
families,  cattle,  household  goods,  and  materials  for  house 
building. 

The  first  settlers  located  on  each  side  of  Mill  River  and 
West  End  Brook — undoubtedly  for  the  convenience  of  water 
for  themselves  and  their  cattle.  The  house  lots  each  contained 
three  acres,  some  double  lots.  Each  planter  was  to  erect  a 
good  house  within  three  years  or  the  plot  was  to  revert  back 
to  the  town.     The  purchase  of  the  land  was  transacted  with 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS  73 

all  the  formality  of  a  business  proposition.  According  to  the 
Indian  method,  the  twig  and  the  turf  were  forms  and  symbols 
of  the  transfer  of  property.  The  consideration  was  rather 
small,  like  a  few  coats  and  blankets,  a  kettle,  some  hoes  and 
hatchets,  a  mirror,  and  trinkets,  and  the  chiefs  and  their 
families  were  guaranteed  protection  by  the  English. 

Their  first  vote  was  that  they  should  "guide  themselves  in 
all  their  doings  by  the  w^ord  of  God  till  such  time  as  laws 
should  be  enacted  and  established." 

On  November  20th,  1639,  at  the  town's  first  general  meet- 
ing, it  was  voted  that  the  town  seal  should  be  the  letters  MF 
joined  together,  and  surrounded  by  a  shield  as  appears  upon 
the  invitation  and  the  program  of  to-day,  this  being  a  fac- 
simile of  the  seal  as  illustrated  in  Lambert's  History.     By  a 


1639 


singular  coincidence  it  might  be  construed  on  this  occasion  to 
apply  to  the  initial  letters  of  the  memorial  fountain.  If  this 
seal  is  not  now  in  use  as  a  town  seal,  would  it  not  be  well,  if 
not  inconsistent  with  any  existing  condition,  for  the  proper 
authorities  to  revive  its  use  and  design,  and  associate  with  it  a 
suitable  motto  and  the  date  1639. 

At  a  General  Court,  1640,  W'ith  common  consent  the  plan- 
tation was  named  Mil  ford,  although  the  letters  of  the  town 
seal  indicate  that  the  name  had  been  chosen  at  an  earlier 
date,  and  this  formal  action  v/as  taken  for  the  purpose  of 
legalizing  it. 

Some  authorities  say  the  town  was  named  after  an  English 
town,  and  others  that  it  had  reference  to  the  mill  by  the  ford. 

The  first  purchase  of  land  was  on  the  12th  of  February, 
1639,  or  February  23rd,  present  calendar,  although  the  settle- 
ment was  not  made  until  the  summer  following. 


74  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS 

Somewhat  interesting  are  the  names  that  appear  to  indi- 
cate locahties  within  the  boundaries  of  the  town,  such  as  East 
Field,  West  Field,  Bladdin's  Brook,  Snake  Hill,  Lebanon 
Brook,  Peconis  Point,  Mill  Neck,  Bear  Neck,  Dreadful 
Swamp,  Beaver  River,  Fresh  Meadows,  Essex  Plain,  Round 
Meadow,  Calf  Meadow,  Oyster  River,  New  Meadow,  Swamp 
Meadow  and  Beaver  Pond  Meadow,  New  Field,  Indian  Neck, 
Wolf  Harbor,  Oyster  Neck,  and  Ferry  Lands,  Plain  Fields, 
Oronoque,  Stubby  Plain  and  Turkey  Hill. 

Broad  Street  was  laid  out  forty  rods  wide.  It  is  said  the 
first  houses  built  on  the  south  side  were  probably  set  on  the 
Common,  and  the  fences  were  placed  in  front,  Lambert  says. 
Encroachment  of  two  rods  have  been  made  on  the  north  side 
of  the  street.  The  land  between  the  lower  half  of  Broad  Street 
and  the  harbor  was  a  parade  ground.  Additions  to  the  original 
purchase  were  made  from  time  to  time,  until  the  town  extended 
twenty  miles  north  as  far  as  Waterbury,  with  the  Housatonic 
and  Naugatuck  rivers  as  a  boundary  on  the  west,  Long  Island 
Sound  on  the  south,  and  the  New  Haven  line  on  the  east. 
As  a  parent  town  Mil  ford  has  contributed  from  her  estate 
land  occupied  by  the  towns  of  Naugatuck,  Seymour,  Derby, 
Woodbridge,  Bethany  and  Orange.  Early  settlers  acquired 
lands  in  other  localities  and  some  bought  sections  in  what  is 
now  the  town  of  Huntington,  L.  I.,  and  settled  that  town.  The 
towns  of  New  Milford,  Farmington,  Saugatuck  (Stamford), 
Naugatuck,  Wallingford,  Cheshire,  Southington,  Ridgefield, 
Greenwich,  Woodbury  and' Washington,  Williamstown,  Mass., 
and  Talmadge,  Ohio,  were  all  settled  by  people  from  Milford. 
And  most  important  of  all,  the  settlement  on  the  banks  of 
the  Passaic  River  in  New  Jersey,  where  now  stands  the 
flourishing  city  of  Newark,  was  begun  by  people  from  Milford 
and  Branford. 

That  justice  might  be  done  in  buying  and  selling  to  each 
other,  a  fine  of  five  shillings  was  established  for  use  of  a 
measure  if  it  were  not  legally  sealed  by  Jasper  Gunn. 

Trade  and  commerce  received  immediate  attention.  The 
enterprising  Fowler  mill  was  established  and  it  was  soon  fol- 


HISTORICAL   ADDRESS  75 

lowed  by  other  mills  until  Mil  ford  became  distinguished  as  a 
mill  town. 

In  1650  a  public  wharf  was  built,  and  a  coasting-  trade  with 
Boston  was  established,  in  the  carrying  of  furs  and  produce 
to  Boston,  and  the  bringing  back  of  household  necessities. 

It  is  said  that  the  credit  of  Ensign  Alexander  Bryan,  Mil- 
ford's  leading  shipping  merchant  of  those  days,  was  so  great 
in  Boston  that  his  notes  passed  as  current  as  bank  bills. 

In  1675  we  find  that  there  were  three  merchants  owning 
brigs  and  sloops  with  a  trade  to  the  West  Indies,  in  taking 
horses,  beef,  pork,  corn,  meal,  and  bringing  back  rum  and 
molasses.  In  1730  ships  were  sent  to  Bordeaux,  France.  At 
one  time  ships  were  built  on  the  banks  of  the  harbor  and  on 
the  Housatonic  river  at  Wheeler's  Farm  and  were  sold  in 
New  York.  Moreover,  Lambert's  History  says  that  the  people 
were  so  enterprising  that  if  the  "Devil"  should  come  to  Mil- 
ford  in  the  shape  of  a  lamb,  they  would  skin  him  for  his 
saddle. 

A  militia  company  was  organized  in  1640.  The  late  John 
W.  Fowler,  of  honored  memory,  in  his  history  of  Milford 
Grenadiers  (which  was  one  of  the  most  celebrated  organiza- 
tions in  New  England)  refers  to  the  following  Milford  men 
who  had  served  as  brigade  and  regimental  commanders,  and 
were  held  in  "high  esteem  for  their  superiority  in  efficiency 
and  attainments" :  Col.  Daniel  Sackett,  Col.  Benjamin  Bull, 
Col.  William  Fenn,  Col.  Stephen  B.  Ford,  Col.  Andrew  Beard, 
Col.  William  Piatt,  Col.  Abel  R.  Hine,  Col.  Isaac  T.  Rogers. 

The  town  has  furnished  some  of  the  most  eminent  men  of 
the  state  and  country,  included  among  whom  were  three  resi- 
dent governors,  Robert  Treat,  Jonathan  Law  and  Charles 
Hobby  Pond.  Gov.  Thomas  Fitch,  Gov.  Gideon  Tomlinson, 
Gov.  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  and  Gov.  Charles  R.  Ingersoll  were 
descendants  of  Milford  founders.  Three  presidents  of  Yale 
University  were  identified  with  the  town,  Pierson,  Andrews 
and  Cutler.  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga,  and 
Gen.  David  Wooster  came   from  Milford  stock,  while  their 


76  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS 

sons  and  daughters  early  married  into  ancient  families  of  prom- 
inence, like  the  Piersons,  Mathers  and  others.  The  ancestors 
of  three  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
were  from  Mil  ford,  Roger  Sherman,  of  Connecticut,  Abra- 
ham Clark  of  New  Jersey,  and  Robert  Treat  Paine  of 
Massachusetts. 

Mindful  of  all  these  as  citizens  of  this  prominent  old  New 
England  town,  we  may  each  of  us  exclaim,  in  the  words  of 
Paul  of  Tarsus:     "I  am  a  citizen  of  no  mean  city." 

We  do  well  then,  to  recall  the  events  of  past  centuries,  and 
re-write  them  on  the  pages  of  history.  Organize  your  Village 
Improvement  societies,  your  uplift  clubs.  Make  your  church, 
your  organizations,  your  village  and  town  the  best  and  worthy 
of  the  highest  aims,  keep  in  touch  with  your  native  town, 
continue  to  create  an  interest  in  old  New  England.  Keep  alive 
the  old  traditions.  Tell  them  to  your  children,  and  reiterate 
them  to  your  children's  children.  Keep  the  fires  burning  on 
the  old  hearthstones,  maintaining  the  high  standards  estab- 
lished by  your  forefathers. 

"Though  many  and  many  a  year  has  fled 
Since  they  were  gathered  among  the  dead ; 
And  now  their  names,  with  the  moss  o'er-grown 
Are  veiled  from  sight  on  the  churchyard  stone 
That  leans  away,  in  a  lingering  fall, 
And  owns  the  power  that  shall  level  all." 

And  now  we  come  to  the  special  occasion  of  this  gathering 
on  this  spot  to-day.  The  importance  of  fountains  of  water 
for  the  use  of  man  and  beast  was  recognized  soon  after  the 
creation.  Exodus  tells  us  that  the  children  of  Israel  mur- 
mured against  their  leaders  for  want  of  bread  and  water,  and 
Moses  in  his  perplexity  appealed  to  the  great  Jehovah,  and 
"bread  was  rained  down  from  Heaven,"  and  Moses  was 
commanded  to  gather  the  assembly  together,  and  "before 
their  eyes  the  Rock  was  turned  into  a  fountain  of  water,"  and 
the  congregation  and  their  children  and  beasts  did  drink,  and 
Moses  built  an  altar  there  for  a  memorial. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS  TJ 

The  French  have  distinguished  themselves  by  their  magnifi- 
cent fountains  in  Paris  and  Versailles.  England  has  done 
likewise  at  Chatsworth,  and  the  Crystal  Palace.  In  fact,  the 
capitols  of  modern  Europe  abound  in  fountains  that  are  works 
of  art,  and  their  utility  has  never  been  lost  sight  of. 

In  Rome  opposite  the  palace  of  the  Quirinal  in  the  open 
plaza  stands  the  world  renowned  fountain  of  Monte  Cavallo. 
At  the  base  are  colossal  statues  of  Castor  and  Pollux  who  are 
represented  as  reining  their  horses.  Above  stands  a  red  gran- 
ite obelisk  over  one  hundred  feet  in  height  brought  from  Egypt 
by  Claudius  as  a  present  to  Nero.  The  original  fountain  was 
erected  by  Tiberius  in  Christ's  time. 

Tradition  says  that  there  came  to  Rome  two  young  men 
who  were  philosophers.  The  Emperor  observed  their  wisdom, 
and  kept  them  near  his  palace.  One  day  they  promised  that 
whatever  the  Emperor  should  think  of  by  day  or  night,  they 
would  tell  him  his  thought  the  following  day,  and  he  in  reply 
promised  that  if  they  succeeded  he  would  give  them  anything 
they  desired.  The  next  day  they  were  able  to  tell  the  Emperor 
of  what  he  thought  out  during  the  night.  They  asked  not  for 
money,  only  a  memorial.  He  therefore  erected  to  them  the 
grand  memorial — the  fountain  of  Monte  Cavallo. 

So  down  the  ages  fountains  have  been  considered  of  the 
greatest  importance,  and  have  served  as  public  monuments. 
In  Assyria  were  erected  statues  of  Neptune  and  dolphins 
from  which  were  spouts  of  water.  Among  the  Greeks  foun- 
tains were  common  in  the  cities  and  it  is  said  as  springs  were 
plentiful,  little  engineering  skill  was  required.  These  foun- 
tains were  dedicated  to  the  gods  and  goddesses,  nymphs  and 
heroes,  and  were  frequently  placed  on  the  sides  of  their 
temples,  with  a  grand  fagade.  The  excavation  of  Pompeii 
revealed  most  interesting  forms  of  public  and  private  foun- 
tains, with  which  the  city  was  well  supplied. 

The  aqueducts  of  the  Romans  are  instances  of  the  impor- 
tance in  which  they  regarded  the  fountains  of  their  city,  and 
at  the  time  of  Constantine  there  were  in  Rome  more  than 
twelve  hundred  public  fountains,  many  of  monumental  char- 


78  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS 

acter,  rich  in  works  of  art.  Agrippa  decorated  those  existing 
at  this  time  with  three  hundred  bronze  and  marble  statues, 
and  four  hundred  columns.  They  were  erected  to  commem- 
orate victories,  and  were  adorned  with  the  trophies  secured. 

Of  this  Marion  Crawford  writes  : 

"Standing  upon  the  spot,  I  beheld  these  statues  towering 
gigantically  above  the  pigmies  of  the  present  day,  looking  like 
Titans  in  the  act  of  threatening  the  Heavens,  while  overhead 
the  stars  were  looking  out,  and  might  have  been  taken  for 
guardian  angels  keeping  a  watch  over  the  temples  below. 
Behind  and  on  the  left  were  palaces  and  on  the  right  were 
gardens  and  hills  still  with  the  orange  tint  of  sunset  over 
them,  and  in  the  distance  were  visible  the  seven  hills  on  which 
is  built  Rome,  the  Eternal  City." 

In  conclusion  permit  me  to  add :  May  this  modest  contri- 
bution to  one's  native  town  inspire  others  to  contribute  from 
time  to  time  some  memorial  that  will  commemorate  the  deeds 
and  names  of  those  who  have  given  to  this  community  much 
prestige,  and  whose  memory  deserves  to  be  perpetuated. 

Robert  Treat 

And  right  here  I  want  to  make  an  earnest  plea  to  you 
members  of  the  Village  Improvement  Society,  to  organize  an 
ejffort  to  secure  a  suitable  memorial  for  that  great  public  man 
and  founder,  Robert  Treat,  who  was  the  first  commander  of 
the  regiment,  in  continuous  existence  ever  since  his  day,  now 
known  as  the  Second  Regiment  Connecticut  National  Guard. 
He  won  great  distinction  while  leading  the  Connecticut  troops 
in  the  King  Philip  War,  assisted  by  Maj.  John  Baird,  and 
Capt.  Benjamin  Fenn,  two  founders  of  this  town.  From 
1683  to  1708,  a  period  of  thirty  years,  Robert  Treat  was 
governor  and  lieutenant  governor  of  the  colony.  He  was  an 
educated  farmer,  a  military  commander,  a  statesman,  and  a 
diplomat,  for  3^ears  by  far  the  foremost  man  in  the  common- 
wealth, and  undoubtedly  the  most  distinguished  man  with  the 
most  distinguished  career  of  any  citizen  the  town  has  produced 
from  its  foundation  to  the  present  day. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS  79 

In  the  list  of  passengers  on  the  Mary  and  John,  in  1630, 
appears  the  name  of  Thomas  Ford.  Trumbull,  in  his  history 
of  Dorchester,  page  17,  refers  to  him  as  a  gentleman  past 
middle  life,  with  adult  family  and  good  estate.  This  Thomas 
Ford  settled  in  Windsor  in  1633.  He  was  a  Deputy  to  the 
First  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  under 
the  first  Governor,  John  Haynes.  Thomas,  Jr.,  one  of  the 
founders  of  this  town,  came  here  as  a  young  man,  and  married 
Elizabeth  Knowles,  daughter  of  Alexander  Knowles  of  Fair- 
field, Conn.,  who  was  assistant  to  Governor  John  Winthrop 
in  1658. 

To  the  memory  of  this  Thomas  Ford,  who  died  in  1662, 
and  to  his  children,  Elizabeth,  John,  Thomas,  Mary  and  Lydia, 
and  his  descendants  who  to-day  bear  the  name  of  Ford,  and 
also  among  whom  we  find  the  name  of  Treat,  Trowbridge, 
Gunn,  Fowler,  Clark,  Baird,  Buckingham,  Fenn,  Smith,  Fitch, 
Mallory,  Hawley,  Rogers,  Northrup,  Gilbert,  Canfield,  Bald- 
win, Sanford,  Sherwood,  Andrew  and  Prudden,  many  of 
whom  have  continuously  lived  in  this  community,  this  fountain 
is  erected. 

To  you,  Mr.  President,  and  to  these  descendants,  and  to 
all  the  people  of  this  goodly  town  is  committed  its  future  care 
with  this  line  by  the  late  Robert  Treat  Paine : 

"While  the  earth  bears  a  plant,  or  the  sea  rolls  its  waves." 


8o 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS 


Inscription  on  Fountain  : 

To  Thomas   Ford,   one  of  ye  founders  of   this  town,   and  to 
HIS  descendants  this  fountain  is  erected  by  George  Hare  Ford. 

The  base  is  constructed  from  field  stones  collected  from  the  farm  occupied  by  the  Fords 
continuously  since  the  settlement  of  the  town. 
The  lantern  is  modeled  from  the  Paul  Revere  lantern. 


COMPOSED  FOR  THE  OCCASION. 


We  stand  upon  this  sacred  spot 
Where,  many  years  ago, 

Our  ancestors  were  gathered : 
They  came  by  a  trail  below 


And  so  they  made  for  our  delight 
This  lovely,  peaceful  town. 

All  honor  to  the  energy 
Of  these  men  of  renown. 


With  their  wives  and  all  their  families  We've  erected  to  their  memory 
To  make  this  place  their  home,  Memorials  choice  and   rare — 

That  no  more  through  the  wilderness,  The  library,  the  fine  old  bridge 
Unsettled,  they  should  roam.  Receive  our  loving  care. 


The  little  stream  that  purled  along 
Attracted  these  brave  men. 

So  by  the  ford  they  settled, 
No   more   to    wander   then. 

At  once  began  their  homes  to  build. 
Felled  pine  and  elm  and  oak : 

Enthusiasm  and  love  they  put 
In  every  single  stroke. 

And  now  all  down  the  ages  ring 
The  memories  of  their  works; 

Each  toiled  with  pride  and  honor — 
Those  times  did  not  make  shirks. 


A  park,  a  church,  too,  have  been  given 

And  other  gifts  between — 
To-day  we  have  a  fountain. 

Erected  on  the  green. 

In  memory  of  the  Fords  of  old, 

First  settlers  of  the  town. 
That  to  future  generations 

Their  old  name  may  go  down. 

This  fountain's  placed  'neath  rare  old  trees 
That  make  for  the  eyes  a  feast. 

Through  the  centuries  the  water  clear 
Will  flow  for  man  and  beast. 


M.  Graves  Watson  (Ford) 


ROBERT  TREAT 

FOUNDER,  FARMER,  SOLDIER,  STATESMAN 
GOVERNOR 


PAPER   READ   BEFORE  THE 
NEW   HAVEN   COLONY   HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

BY 

GENERAL  GEORGE  HARE  FORD 

APRIL  17th,   1911 


(Reprint  from  Vol.  VIII,  New  Haven  Colony  Historical  Society 
Published  April,  1914) 


{This  pamphlet  may  be  obtained  of  the  author,  price,  50c.) 


University  of 
Connecticut 


